Lagos Fire Tragedy: Sanwo-Olu Confirms Eight Deaths in GNI Building Inferno
Story: written by January 3,2026
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has confirmed that eight people died in the devastating fire that engulfed the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, on Christmas Eve.
During an on-the-spot assessment of the scene on Friday, the governor announced urgent steps by the state government, including plans to pull down buildings found to be structurally unsafe within the affected zone.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that five of the deceased have been identified, while three others were burnt beyond recognition. He said DNA tests have been ordered to establish the identities of the unidentified victims.
Speaking nine days after the incident, the governor noted that pockets of fire were still smouldering within the building. He confirmed that 13 people were rescued alive, while ongoing search and recovery efforts have verified eight fatalities so far.
Describing the incident as heartbreaking, Sanwo-Olu and members of his entourage observed a minute of silence in honour of those who lost their lives.
The governor attributed the outbreak to human negligence and stressed the need for strict compliance with safety standards in commercial and residential buildings across Lagos.
According to him, the blaze spread to several surrounding structures along Martins, Shitta, and Breadfruit streets. He expressed concern over the discovery of multiple generators on different floors of nearby shopping complexes, warning that such unsafe practices significantly heighten fire risks.
Sanwo-Olu stated that any building that fails integrity and safety assessments will be demolished after detailed technical evaluations. He advised residents, traders, and the general public to steer clear of the area as controlled and phased demolition work proceeds.
He also urged business owners to place the value of human life above material possessions during emergencies, noting that some victims had escaped safely but returned to salvage property, only to become trapped.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has set up a help desk at the scene to document cases of missing persons linked to businesses operating within the affected building. The agency is working closely with other emergency responders to ensure proper records and assistance for affected families.
Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by top government officials, including the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde; LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu; and General Manager of the Lagos Command and Control Centre, Femi Kennedy-Giwa.
As at the time of the governor’s visit, Martins Street remained shut to commercial activities, with security operatives and emergency teams maintaining tight security around the area. The state government assured residents that further updates would be issued as recovery operations and structural assessments continue.
