Lagos inferno Omatu brothers burial is scheduled for January 14 following the deadly fire at Great Nigeria Insurance House
The three Omatu brothers who died in the inferno that gutted the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Lagos Island, Lagos State, will be buried on January 14, 2026.
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The Lagos inferno Omatu brothers burial was confirmed on Monday by a sister of the deceased, Ms Mimi Nonyerem.
The brothers, identified as Steve Omatu, 40, Casmir Omatu, 39, and Collins Omatu, 37, were reportedly trapped in the building during the fire outbreak.
The tragic incident occurred when a fire broke out on the fourth floor of the commercial complex and spread rapidly to the sixth floor.
The blaze later engulfed other floors and adjoining structures, causing widespread destruction.
A detached section of the building, estimated to be about seven floors high, collapsed during the inferno.
The collapse trapped traders and market assistants who were unable to escape in time.
One surviving twin, Mr Camillus Omatu, reportedly escaped the fire.
According to Ms Nonyerem, a service of songs will be held on January 7, while the burial ceremony will take place on January 14.
She disclosed that the service of songs will be held in Lagos State, while the burial will take place in Ihiala, Anambra State.
In a Facebook post, Ms Nonyerem appealed for prayers and support for the grieving family.
“The burial date for our brothers has been scheduled for January 14, 2026,” she wrote.
“I humbly request your prayers for divine protection over my family.”
She added that the presence of sympathisers in Ihiala would be deeply appreciated.
Earlier this month, Ms Nonyerem marked the posthumous birthday of one of the deceased brothers, Steve Omatu.
“Happy birthday, Uncle Steve. I will wake up from this dream,” she wrote.
Another relative, Mr William Omatu, also posted a message in tribute.
“Congratulations on your first birthday in heaven,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said preliminary investigations showed that the fire originated from an apartment on the fourth floor.
The fire later spread to the sixth floor and other parts of the building.
Shop owners reportedly fled the scene in panic as emergency responders battled for several hours to contain the raging inferno.
As of last Monday, about 20 people were still believed to be trapped under the rubble.
Relatives have continued to submit names and photographs of missing loved ones to emergency authorities.
Those listed include Elo Chukwu, Omeigbo Chuwuebuka, Omeigbo Chukwudubem, Kayode Omoniyi, Ikechukwudi Asobi, and Murphy Aborinwa.
Others are Onyeka Obinwa, Mercy Ukamaka, Taofeeq Opera, and a trader identified as Chiding, along with two of his assistants.
Emergency responders have so far recovered eight bodies from the debris.
Recovery operations remain ongoing at the scene.
The Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services said preliminary assessments revealed grave fire safety violations.
She cited overstocking of combustible materials, poor ventilation, lack of fire safety infrastructure, unsafe generator use, and shops built around transformers.
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She warned that such hazardous conditions could trigger spontaneous ignition, even without external causes.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
