Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has described the deaths of three brothers in a Lagos high-rise fire as a profound national loss, calling for urgent reforms to the country's emergency response systems.
A Heartbreaking Funeral in Anambra
On January 14, 2026, Peter Obi attended a deeply emotional burial service in Ihiala, Anambra State. The service was for Stephen Onyeka Omatu (40), Casmir Nnabuike Omatu (39), and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu (37). The three siblings tragically lost their lives after being trapped in the Great Nigeria Insurance House building in Lagos when it caught fire on December 24, 2025.
In a heartfelt social media post following the funeral, Obi expressed the collective grief and outrage surrounding the incident. He highlighted the agonizing detail that the young men had sent out desperate pleas for help while trapped, but no emergency services arrived in time to save them. Their bodies remained in the rubble for several days before recovery.
A Systemic Failure and a Call to Action
"This is not just a personal loss for their family, it is a national loss," Obi wrote. He framed the tragedy as a stark reminder of systemic failures. "This tragedy should serve as a reminder that our emergency services must be improved and accessible to every citizen. We cannot continue like this," he stated emphatically.
Obi stressed that every Nigerian life matters and that no one should perish due to neglect when help could have been provided. He used the platform to advocate for concrete change, urging authorities to prioritize the overhaul of emergency response protocols and infrastructure.
Personal Condolences and a Plea for Support
Speaking directly at the funeral, Obi offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the deceased brothers' souls. He addressed the grieving family, particularly the young widows and children left behind. "It is very painful to lose such energetic and promising young men at this time," he said, acknowledging the immense pain of the loss.
He consoled the family by stating, "We have no power to question God Almighty. He is the one who gives and takes." Obi also encouraged the community and the public to keep the bereaved Omatu family in their prayers, asking for divine strength and fortitude for them to bear the unimaginable grief.
Reports indicate that a fourth brother, Camillus Omatu, who is a twin to Collins, managed to escape from the inferno. The survival of one sibling underscores the tragic randomness of the event that claimed his brothers' lives.
Peter Obi concluded his tribute with a prayer for the souls of Steve, Casmir, and Collins to find eternal rest and a resolve that their deaths should not be in vain. "May we never forget them, and may we be moved to ensure such a tragedy never happens again," he wrote, turning personal mourning into a public appeal for accountability and safety reform.
