Sanwo-Olu Orders Demolition of Fire-Gutted GNI Building as Death Toll Hits Eight

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the immediate demolition of the fire-ravaged 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Martins Street, Lagos Island. The order follows a deadly inferno on December 24, 2025, that claimed eight lives and injured 13 others.​ Emergency teams continue sifting through debris for potential additional victims.​

The blaze erupted around 4:41 p.m. on the fourth or fifth floor of the GNI Plaza, a commercial hub in the bustling Balogun Market area originally designed for offices but repurposed as a warehouse for flammable clothing materials.​​ Flames rapidly spread upward and to adjoining structures, including a mosque, prompting swift response from Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASEMA, and other agencies.​ A section of about seven floors collapsed during the fire, complicating rescue operations.​

Casualty and Response Update

Governor Sanwo-Olu, during a Friday site visit, confirmed eight fatalities—five identified and three unidentified due to severe burns—with 13 rescues including a firefighter.​ An information center aids families, while responders focus on the building’s rear.​ The state has closed the surrounding market, restricting access to first responders only.​

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Demolition Directive

A structural assessment deemed the building and nearby shops unsafe from fire-induced damage, leading to a phased, controlled demolition led by a committee under Commissioner Gbenga Oyerinde.​ Sanwo-Olu emphasized prioritizing public safety over economic activity, warning against generator misuse near transformers.​ The Shitta-Bey family, building owners, confirmed insurance coverage and cooperation with authorities.​

Broader Fire Safety Concerns

This tragedy marks the third major Yuletide blaze in Lagos markets within a week, after incidents at Ikotun Roundabout (24 shops gutted) and Arena Market in Oshodi (10 container shops affected), highlighting persistent risks from poor electrical practices.​ Authorities urge stricter fire prevention in high-density commercial zones like Balogun, Mile 12, and Ladipo.​