Panic broke out on Wednesday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport after a fire engulfed part of a terminal building, forcing passengers and airport workers to evacuate the facility.

The incident affected a temporary terminal structure, disrupting operations at Nigeria’s busiest aviation hub and raising renewed concerns over safety standards.

Eyewitnesses said the fire started suddenly, sending thick plumes of smoke across the terminal and triggering confusion among travellers.

“The temporary terminal just caught fire. The whole building is covered with smoke. All passengers, crew, and staff members have been evacuated,” a source at the airport said.

Sources disclosed that the incident occurred shortly after an Ethiopian Airlines flight had completed boarding and departed, a development that may have reduced the number of people inside the affected area.

Emergency responders were swiftly deployed, with firefighters from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria moving in to contain the blaze. Security personnel also cordoned off the area and directed passengers to safety.

“There was a lot of panic at first, but people were quickly asked to leave the building. Security officials are trying to manage the situation,” another witness said.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not confirmed the cause of the fire or whether there were casualties. However, preliminary indications suggest that the rapid evacuation helped avert injuries.

The incident comes amid growing concerns over fire safety at the Lagos airport. In February, a similar outbreak affected the control tower area, damaging critical communication systems and forcing aviation authorities to rely on backup infrastructure, resulting in flight delays and operational disruptions.