Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the demolition of the Great Nigeria Insurance building severely damaged by a fire outbreak, warning that the area remains unsafe for residents and business activities.
The governor disclosed this in a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday after visiting the scene of the incident, which occurred on December 24.
Sanwo-Olu confirmed that eight people lost their lives in the inferno, noting that five victims have been identified, while efforts are ongoing to identify the remaining three. He added that 13 people were rescued from the rubble.
“No business or unauthorized activity should be taking place around the site. The area remains unsafe, and only emergency responders are allowed access,” the governor said.
He explained that rescue and recovery operations were still ongoing, particularly at the rear section of the building, as emergency teams carefully search through the debris.
“Our emergency teams are continuing their work cautiously to ensure that no one is still trapped beneath the rubble,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
To support affected families and members of the public seeking information, the state government has established an information centre manned by officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency.
Authorities also revealed that preliminary findings linked the severity of the fire to unsafe practices, including improper generator use and commercial structures built too close to power transformers.
Following a comprehensive structural assessment, the governor said the damaged building would be pulled down, along with some surrounding structures, to prevent further danger.
“After a full structural evaluation, the GNI building will be demolished using the safest methods available. Some nearby structures will also be removed. These are difficult decisions, but the safety of lives must always come first,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu extended his condolences to families affected by the tragedy, assuring Lagos residents of the government’s commitment to managing the recovery process and preventing similar incidents in the future.
“My heart goes out to every family affected by this tragic incident. We will continue to prioritize safety above all else,” he added.
