What began as a tragic fire on Christmas Eve has now escalated into a full-blown humanitarian crisis on Lagos Island, as families search desperately for missing loved ones, and traders count painful losses from the inferno that gutted the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building, and spread to six surrounding structures at the Balogun Market, Lagos.

Despite earlier reports stating no life was lost, a ground investigation by The Nation has revealed that at least two persons have died, and “dozens more are feared trapped,” under collapsed buildings.

A woman, ‘Iya Ahmed’, was fatally struck by a fallen fence from the GNI building on Wednesday.

A victim, 34-year-old Obumneke Samuel Chukwudolue, was pulled out dead on Thursday morning.

He was identified by one of his siblings, Chukwuma Chukwudolue, in a heartbreaking moment.

Those feared trapped under the rubble include Ikechukwu Asobi, popularly known as Naked Wire. He had his shop in the same building, beside the GNI building and got trapped while trying to salvage his goods.

Also, Omoniyi Kayode Olawale and one other man, who came to help their business friend, Naked Wire, are currently under the rubble, said family members. They claimed to have received phone messages from them at about 1 am on Thursday.

One person was, however, rescued alive on Wednesday through the efforts of emergency responders of LASEMA, the police, and Red Cross officials who have been on site.

The Nation, however, observed that only one bulldozer was on the site, clearing debris Thursday morning, while some parts of the GNI building were still burning.

Explaining how they got information about the unfortunate incident, over 20 traders and their apprentices said they received a phone call at about till 3 am Thursday from others trapped beneath the rubble, crying for help. Yet, the excavation has been slow and inadequate.

With fire still smouldering as of 5 pm Thursday, and fears growing for those still trapped, families are begging the Lagos State Government to act swiftly by deploying more rescue equipment and medical support.

When contacted, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Public Relations Officer, Nosa Okundor, denied that the operation had stopped.

He noted that LASEMA is committed to ensuring that everyone trapped under the rubble is rescued or recovered.

“It is not true,” he said. “If the equipment stopped briefly, it could be for repositioning or refuelling. The team is on the ground and committed. We are on top of the situation.”

Meanwhile, affected traders say they don’t have insurance cover, revealing that insurance companies had previously declined them, citing the frequency of fire outbreaks on Lagos Island.

“They told us that Lagos Island fire risk is too high and unprofitable, so they don’t insure our shops,” a trader lamented.

Another added, “We are left to our fate — no protection, no compensation.”

This exposes a worrying gap in Nigeria’s insurance and risk management system, particularly for informal and small-scale traders who power the heart of Lagos commerce.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the absence of inclusive insurance coverage for informal sector businesses, as well as the urgency for faster emergency response and modern rescue logistics.

As Christmas slowly fades into the New Year, what remains in Balogun is a scene of smouldering ruins, restless families, and a collective cry for timely rescue, before hope runs out. (The Nation)

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