The Omatu family has announced the burial arrangements for three brothers who lost their lives in the devastating fire that consumed the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Lagos Island. The brothers will be laid to rest in their hometown next week.
Burial Arrangements for the Deceased
The funeral for Steve (40), Casmir (39), and Collins (37) Omatu is scheduled for January 14, 2026, in Ihiala, Anambra State. This follows a service of songs held in Lagos State on January 7. A family relative, Mimi Nonyerem, confirmed the details in a social media post, requesting prayers and the presence of well-wishers in Ihiala.
The tragedy has left the family in profound grief. Recently, relatives marked the posthumous birthday of Steve Omatu. His surviving twin brother, Camillus Omatu, managed to escape the inferno that claimed his siblings.
Details of the Lagos Island Inferno
The fire broke out on December 24, 2025, starting on the fourth floor of the plaza and rapidly spreading to the sixth floor before engulfing the entire structure and nearby buildings. During the blaze, a section of the building, estimated to be about seven floors high, collapsed.
This collapse trapped numerous individuals inside, including the Omatu brothers and other market traders. The siblings are believed to have been trapped and succumbed to the fire.
Another Family Mourns Double Loss
The Omatu family was not the only one to suffer multiple losses. Chuwuebuka Emmanuel Omeigbo and Chukwudubem Omeigbo also died in the incident. Reports indicate they were at home when the fire started but rushed to the market to salvage their goods. They became trapped when part of the building gave way and did not survive.
The tragic event at the Great Nigeria Insurance House has highlighted the dangers in densely populated commercial areas and left a community in mourning as families prepare to bury their loved ones.
