Governor Siminalayi Fubara has confirmed that the fire that gutted a section of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt on Monday evening, October 6, 2025, was caused by an electrical spark.
The governor described the incident as unfortunate but assured that investigations were underway to determine the extent of the damage.
The fire reportedly started after office hours on the ground floor of the Podium Block, spreading to other parts of the nine-storey complex before it was brought under control. Several office items were destroyed in the process.
The incident occurred barely a week after Governor Fubara dissolved the Rivers State Pensions Board. Although the board’s office is located close to the affected area, it was not touched by the inferno.
No Casualty Recorded, Says Head of Service
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the State Head of Service, Inyinge Brown, said preliminary findings indicated that the blaze resulted from an electrical fault. He confirmed that no lives were lost.
Brown commended the swift response of the Rivers State Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, Renaissance Fire Team, and the military, who jointly worked to contain the fire.
It was gathered that the Fubara administration and that of the immediate past governor, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), had recently approved funds for the renovation of the secretariat complex before the incident occurred.
Separate Fire Razes Eleme Council Secretariat
While Governor Fubara insisted that the Port Harcourt fire resulted from an electrical fault, a resident of Eleme, who spoke to Daily Trust under condition of anonymity, alleged that thugs wielding dangerous weapons invaded the Eleme Local Government Council Secretariat on Monday morning.
Less than five hours after the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed his men to vacate all 23 local government secretariats in Rivers State, suspected arsonists reportedly set the Eleme Council Secretariat ablaze.
The source said: “Few hours after the IGP ordered his men out of the Council Secretariat, heavily armed men invaded the council and ignited a substance suspected to be dynamite, which set the entire old Secretariat building ablaze. The thugs smashed windows of buildings not affected by the fire.”
As of press time, the Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, could not confirm the Eleme incident.
Mixed Reactions Trail Secretariat Fires
The two fire incidents have generated widespread reactions across social media platforms. Some Nigerians linked the developments to political tension in the state, while others expressed concern over recurring security lapses in public institutions.
A user identified as Foundational Ijesa Man wrote: “Because the governor says heads will roll, permanent secretaries have moved into action. If we can’t solve the civil service problem, Nigeria can never be free.”
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Another, Victor Oliseh, blamed the incident on corruption, saying, “If you know how deep corruption is in this country, we won’t wait till 2027 before we decide to pay this bunch of evil beings their rewards.”
A commenter, SafetyOne, cautioned residents at the scene, noting: “See people inhaling toxic smoke like it’s nothing. Inhaling CO-contained smoke can kill you in five minutes, especially for someone with underlying health issues.”
Rivers Government Cancels Independence Day Parade
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government recently cancelled the Independence Day military parade earlier scheduled for October 1.
The Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Friday Dede, announced the decision, explaining that it was in line with the directive from the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
