Category Nigeria News

The devastating fire that swept up the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House on Lagos Island claimed the lives of eight people, according to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The 25-story high-rise at 47/57 Martins Street was in flames on December 24, 2025. Since the incident, there have been ongoing rescue and recovery operations.

Governor Sanwo-Olu confirmed that five victims have been identified in an X post on Friday, while three have not been because of the severity of their burns.

“I have a deep sympathy for the families who lost loved ones and for everyone whose homes and businesses have been impacted. I am aware of how much they are suffering as a whole.

We have confirmed eight deaths as of right now. Three victims remain unidentified, while five have been identified. He claimed that so far there have been 19 rescues.

The governor claimed that there is still work being done to locate potential survivors in the rubble and that an information center has been set up to assist the public.

The location has a new information center, according to the company. Anyone who needs assistance or information should contact LASEMA, NEMA, LASBCA, and the other responding agencies.

“The entire region is still unsafe. There shouldn’t be any business or unlicensed activity there. Only first responders are permitted on the site because the market is closed. Emergency teams work diligently through the rubble, particularly at the rear of the building, to prevent anyone from falling into it.

The entire area is still dangerous. There shouldn’t be any business or unlicensed activity there. Only first responders are permitted on the site because the market is closed. He said emergency teams are diligently digging through the rubble to prevent anyone from getting trapped, particularly at the rear of the building.

Due to the risk of collapse, Governor Sanwo-Olu has ordered a gradual, controlled demolition of the GNI building following a structural review.

He added that some of the surrounding structures will be destroyed in order to protect the public.

This tragedy serves as a gratifying reminder of the risks that some market practices can pose. The risks in this area were significantly increased by the unsafe use of generators and the construction of shops close to transformers, he said.

Every family that is impacted by this has my heart. Governor Sanwo-Olu stated, “I continue to be committed to overseeing the recovery process and making sure we do right by our citizens.”

According to preliminary investigations, the fire was brought on by human error, with particular unsafe generator use and refueling on various floors.

Combustible materials kept in the building’s converted warehouses, increasing the fire even more. Additionally, structural flaws were discovered, with several victims being rescued when a portion of the building collapsed during the fire.

In a new year’s blow to global drug trafficking networks, Apapa Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) collaborated with the NDLEA to intercept 30 slabs of cocaine onboard the MV Aruna, a vessel under the Marshall Islands’ flag.

The Greenview Terminal in Apapa Port, Lagos, was the location of the seizure on Friday.

Isah Sulaiman, the Apapa Port Command’s public relations officer, stated in a statement that the illicit substance was carefully hidden aboard the ship, underscoring the sophisticated tactics smugglers use to smuggle goods into the country’s busiest seaport.

READ MORE: NDLEA Arrests An Ex-Convict and Three Others Due to UK-Bound Cocaine.

The Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, commended the officers for their New Year’s vigilance and breakthrough and reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance policy toward illicit trade in accordance with established protocols.

In the interim, NDLEA has obtained the seized cocaine for its investigation and potential prosecution.

Five newly appointed Special Advisers have been sworn in by the governor of Rhodes State, Siminalayi Fubara.

He also reaffirmed the determination of his administration to advance decisively and regain lost ground.

At the Government House swearing-in ceremony, Fubara remarked that his country had the will to carry out its mission.

He explained that the appointments were made to improve governance and ensure his administration’s smooth operation.

He added that the appointees had previously worked for the government and that they had a clear understanding of the philosophy and goals of his administration.

His theory is that their familiarity with the system would speed up performance monitoring and ensure that set goals are met on time.

The new aides were instructed by the governor to approach their responsibilities with a strong sense of duty, stressing that the appointments should not be seen as a pleasure but as a call to dedicated service.

He claimed that they had previously excelled in public office and that they were confident they would apply their experience to their new positions.

Governor Fubara urged them to continue working in accordance with the administration’s social contract with citizens and not let the government and the Rivers State residents let them down.

More than $6 billion has been approved by the state government for governance-related projects, social welfare initiatives, and infrastructure development.

Following the 36th meeting of the Kano State Executive Council on Thursday at the Government House in Kano, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, disclosed the approval.

The approvals, according to Waiya, cover crucial areas like legislative reforms, road construction, drainage, water supply, education, entrepreneurship development, and road construction. They show the administration’s commitment to closing infrastructure gaps while strengthening state institutions.

The Kano State Executive Council has approved projects worth more than N6 billion, focusing on crucial areas, such as infrastructure, education, and good governance, where necessary.

A sizable portion of the funds went toward providing compensation for the communities that were affected by the flood.

A five-kilometer road construction project in the Tudun Wada Local Government Area received the council’s approval for compensation of 859.2 million dollars.

The commissioner explained that “this compensation is intended to ensure fairness, minimize disruption, and allow the road project to proceed smoothly.”

The council also approved the construction of the Yandodo–Mai-Allo Road, a significant route intended to improve connectivity between several communities, for a sum of $2. 6 billion.

In Kiru Local Government Area, a region that is frequently flooded, 896 million were allocated for the reconstruction of a failed culvert, while another 1.2 billion was approved for the construction of a box culvert.

Additionally, prominently exhibited were projects relating to urban water supply and drainage. The council approved 358. 5 million for Kano Municipal’s stormwater drainage projects, as well as 85.6 million for Gwale Local Government Area’s extension of water pipelines.

According to Waiya, “These drainage and water projects are essential to reducing flood risks and improving access for residents to clean, potable water.”

The council approved 285 million for state-wide classroom construction as well as 431.7 million for funding graduation ceremonies and empowerment initiatives at the Kano State Entrepreneurship Institute.

According to Waiya, “our human capital development strategy continues to be centered on investments in education and entrepreneurship.”

Additionally, the council approved 157.7 million for the organization of a public service anti-corruption workshop to improve accountability and transparency.

READ ALSO: 2026: FG to collaborate with Govs on non-oil exports under AfCFTA

The Executive Council authorized the transmission of four bills to the Kano State House of Assembly, aside from financial approvals.

The bill aims to rename the Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Dambatta, along with the Kano State Local Governments Administration Bill 2025, the Kano State Economic Planning and Development Council Bill 2025, and other bills.

Additionally, the council praised the state’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy and Manual, which aims to entice private sector investment in infrastructure and service delivery.

Waiya continued, “The PPP framework confirms the government’s willingness to work with the private sector to promote development.”

The Great Nigeria Insurance Building on Martins Street in Lagos Island is currently being searched for and saved, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The public is deeply concerned about the fire, which is said to have claimed to have lost several people.

LASEMA acknowledged the distress that this incident may have caused the families and close friends of those affected in a statement released on Thursday.

Read more about Sanwo-Olu inspects a fire scene on Lagos Island and orders the demolition of a GNI building.

The organization reassured the public that trained emergency workers are working tirelessly on the ground and are pursuing efforts to locate and rescue any survivors.

“LASEMA wishes to reassure the public that search and rescue operations are being conducted successfully and acknowledges the concern about the reported missing persons.”

Our emergency response teams are fully engaged in assessing the affected areas to make sure no one is missing, according to the statement. They are equipped with specialized tools and supported by relevant agencies.

Additionally, LASEMA urged people to file their complaints with the LASEMA Complaints Unit, which is located at the site of the incident, if they were unable to reach their loved ones, coworkers, or relatives who were believed to be in or around the affected building at the time of the fire.

The organization stated that any pertinent data that is received will be vetted and documented, making it easier to compile a comprehensive list of missing people for quicker rescue, recovery, and identification.

The organization stated that the organization is closely collaborating with other security, health, and emergency response organizations to ensure a coordinated and effective operation.

Additionally, LASEMA urged the public to cooperate with emergency personnel, stay calm, and avoid the scene to enable effective response.

We take a “life and property protection” stance. As new developments arise, LASEMA will continue to update us as needed, the statement stated.

Professor Joash Amupitan, the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated that the commission is working toward establishing transparent and credible elections in 2027, citing the fact that the foundation is already being laid to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

In his 2026 New Year’s address to INEC staff across the nation, Amupitan assured INEC staff that the year ahead would mark a significant step toward strengthening the commission’s internal systems ahead of the upcoming general elections.

The chairman praised the hard work and professionalism of the staff when he reviewed INEC’s 2025 activities, citing the success of the Anambra State governorship election, which took place on October 23rd, the chairman.

He claimed that the election demonstrated how disciplined, united, and professional the commission can be in maintaining the integrity of the results.

According to him, the election process’ outcome demonstrated how capable the commission is of upholding democratic values.

In terms of events, Amupitan predicted that 2026 would be both challenging and significant, noting that INEC needs to increase its preparations for the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections scheduled for February. He continued to give the commission a top priority as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.

He expressed confidence that smooth, transparent, and all-inclusive electoral exercises would be conducted nationwide thanks to continued teamwork and dedication among the staff.

The INEC chairman also reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of his staff, promising to continue to create a work environment that is grounded in respect for all. As the commission pursues its constitutional mandate, he assured the commission’s employees that their well-being would remain paramount.

Amupitan urged staff to continue to support the integrity of the electoral system, stressing that the collective efforts of INEC staff are essential to creating a commission that won the trust of Nigerians and guarantees that every eligible voter can take an active part in the democratic process.