The death toll from the devastating fire that razed the former Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Lagos Island has risen to 12, following the recovery of four additional bodies from the rubble, emergency authorities have confirmed.
The inferno, which occurred on the eve of Christmas at the 22-storey structure, has continued to present significant challenges to rescue and recovery teams due to the building’s weakened structural integrity and the scale of debris at the site.
In response to the complexity of the operation, the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has deployed heavy-duty excavation and recovery equipment provided by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to support ongoing operations.
NEMA disclosed that the multi-agency recovery exercise has recorded notable progress, particularly with the controlled removal of debris that enabled the recovery of four bodies trapped beneath collapsed sections of the building.
According to the agency, the operation remains highly technical and delicate, requiring careful excavation to prevent further structural collapse while ensuring the safety of emergency responders working on-site.
The recovered bodies have been officially documented and transferred to the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SHEMU) for forensic identification and dignified handling, as investigations into the identities of the victims continue.
Security around the incident perimeter remains tight, with the military, police, and other security agencies maintaining barricades to restrict unauthorized access and safeguard both emergency personnel and members of the public.
Meanwhile, a high-level coordination meeting involving NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office and key stakeholders was convened to review progress and outline the next phase of operations. Participants included the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Arc GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; and representatives of the local Community Development Association (CDA).
The meeting agreed on a phased operational strategy encompassing continued safe excavation, structural integrity assessments, controlled demolition of unstable sections, and eventual rehabilitation of the site once recovery efforts are concluded.
Authorities reiterated that all activities at the site remain under the direct supervision of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Government, with NEMA providing ongoing technical and operational support.
As recovery efforts continue, emergency agencies have urged members of the public to remain patient and avoid the area, assuring that all necessary measures are being taken to conclude the operation safely and transparently.
