In a somber update following the devastating Christmas Eve fire at the iconic Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Martins Street, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has confirmed that the death toll has risen to eight. The Governor, who conducted a follow-up assessment of the site on Friday, revealed that whilst thirteen individuals survived the blaze, the scale of the tragedy has necessitated immediate and drastic state intervention.
The inferno, which originated in the 25-storey skyscraper, rapidly escalated, spreading its destructive reach to adjacent structures including a mosque and the Oluwole Plaza. Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Director General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed that although emergency responders eventually brought the fire under control, the structural integrity of the GNI building was fatally compromised, suffering a partial collapse during the heat of the blaze.
Of the eight deceased, five victims have been formally identified. The Governor stated that the state government would undertake DNA testing on the remaining three charred remains to ensure their families can be identified and informed.
Following a rigorous inspection of the site, Governor Sanwo-Olu has issued a formal order for the complete demolition of the GNI building. Beyond the immediate wreckage, the Governor embarked on an audit of high-rise structures within the surrounding Balogun Market, where he encountered what he described as a “reckless flouting” of state building regulations.
“In the last hour, I have traversed the streets within the market. Even from a non-professional assessment, it is evident that the majority of these buildings are completely distressed,” the Governor remarked. He further lamented the “unacceptable” negligence of property owners, noting that lives have been lost and livelihoods shattered due to systemic carelessness.
The Governor’s audit revealed a harrowing disregard for public safety within the commercial hub. He recounted seeing over fourteen industrial generators perched precariously on the upper floors of buildings, unapproved extensions built atop original structures, and shops situated in immediate proximity to electrical transformers.
In response, the Lagos State Government has signalled a turning point for the district. “This is an opportunity for us to embark on a complete regeneration of the entire area,” Sanwo-Olu declared. “Regenerating this trading space will be a difficult decision, but it is the proper step to preserve lives and property. We shall not shy away from this responsibility.”
The emergency response team remains stationed at the site, which continues to be classified as unsafe. As a precautionary measure, all shops and buildings within a 100-metre radius of the epicentre have been ordered to remain closed until further notice. Property owners and developers within the market have been summoned to come forward as the state begins a comprehensive professional evaluation of every building in the vicinity.
