Family of Lagos Island Fire Victims Accuses Government of Complicity Amid Bribery Allegations and Emergency Response Failures

Family of Lagos Island Fire Victims Accuses Government of Complicity Amid Bribery Allegations and Emergency Response Failures

Relatives of victims who perished in the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building fire at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, on December 24, 2025 have levelled serious accusations against the Lagos State Government, alleging that official misconduct and delayed emergency response contributed to the tragic loss of lives. The controversy has reignited public scrutiny over disaster management, emergency preparedness and official accountability in Nigeria’s largest city.

The December fire broke out in the multistorey Great Nigeria Insurance House, an ageing commercial complex widely used as warehouse space for traders’ goods in the bustling Balogun market area. Flames spread rapidly through the building and to adjacent properties, overwhelming rescue efforts and prompting days of recovery operations. Government authorities have confirmed at least eight deaths and thirteen survivors in the inferno, with ongoing structural safety assessments of the site. 

Amid the continuing grief and shock, Mr Basil Ndedigwe, the maternal uncle of three brothers who died in the fire, has accused emergency responders of demanding a ₦35 million payment from market leaders before commencing firefighting efforts. According to Ndedigwe, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service officials stood by for nearly two hours without tackling the blaze, allegedly insisting that a large sum be produced before they would engage the inferno. He claimed operations were later halted due to a lack of water, compounding the delay and allowing the fire to expand uncontrollably. Ndedigwe argued that had responders acted swiftly, his nephews might still be alive today.

The allegations, shared publicly after a Service of Songs and Requiem Mass held in Lagos for the deceased, have shocked many, particularly given the enormous human and economic losses suffered by traders during the festive season. In addition to the confirmed fatalities, numerous families have reported devastating losses of goods and livelihoods as fire consumed stock and property within the labyrinthine market. 

The fire has also underscored the precarious nature of fire safety in highly congested commercial zones like Balogun Market, where combustible materials, dense building structures and limited access for emergency vehicles pose significant challenges. Investigations by independent news outlets have highlighted widespread flouting of building and safety codes in the market area, concerns repeatedly raised by government officials and fire safety experts. 

In response to the bribery claims, Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, dismissed the allegations as implausible and urged market leaders to identify any official involved so that disciplinary action could be taken. Akosile questioned the logic of officials refusing to fight an active fire without upfront payment, stressing that there was no credible evidence such demands were made. He extended the state government’s condolences to the bereaved families and reiterated that the focus remained on supporting those affected and facilitating mourning and recovery efforts. 

Despite official denial, the accusations have reignited wider public outrage and debate about fire response protocols and corruption in emergency services. Critics argue that whether or not the specific claim about a ₦35 million demand is verifiable, the perception of impropriety damages trust in government agencies entrusted with protecting lives and property. They say that in major urban centres, especially Lagos with its dense population and economic activity, robust and transparent emergency response systems are indispensable.

Market traders and residents have also expressed frustration over the continued closure and sealing off of affected shops and pathways at Balogun Market, compounding the economic hardship faced by thousands of families who depend on market activities for their livelihoods. They lament that weeks after the blaze, many remain unable to access their goods or resume business, further deepening the economic fallout of the disaster.

The fire itself inflicted profound hardship even before the allegations emerged. Some victims were trapped under rubble after parts of the 25-storey structure collapsed, leaving remains badly charred and requiring DNA testing for identification. Traders spoke of goods worth millions of naira, imported in anticipation of the Christmas rush, being destroyed in minutes, pushing some deeply into debt or into ruin. 

Public reaction has been mixed. Many Lagos residents and observers sympathise deeply with grieving families and call for thorough investigations into all facets of the emergency response. Some have urged independent inquiries into whether standards were breached during firefighting operations, and whether systemic issues — such as inadequate water supply for fire hydrants, poor equipment, or lack of coordination — may have hampered rescue efforts. Others have taken a more cautious approach, urging authorities and the public to differentiate between unverified claims and substantiated evidence, even as they acknowledge the pain and frustration felt by those who lost loved ones.

The government has repeatedly stated its commitment to addressing safety concerns and improving market infrastructure. In official statements following the blaze, Governor Sanwo-Olu ordered comprehensive safety and building code evaluations throughout the Balogun area, noting that long-standing structural violations contributed to the fire’s severity. He also pledged state support for affected traders and families. 

As matters stand, no formal investigation report has been published detailing whether the alleged demand for payment by firefighters occurred, nor have names of implicated officials been publicly confirmed. Lagos State authorities maintain that emergency services acted in accordance with protocols and that the focus remains on mitigating further risk and supporting victims.

The tragedy at Balogun Market has already become one of the most devastating fire incidents in the city’s recent history, laying bare deep vulnerabilities in urban safety, disaster response, and infrastructure enforcement. Many stakeholders, from market leaders to civil society groups, are now calling for greater transparency and accountability to ensure that no family endures similar loss due to administrative failings or perceived corruption.

As affected families continue to mourn, the broader conversation around governance, emergency preparedness and public trust underscores the urgent need for reforms that not only improve structural safety but also ensure effective, ethical and timely response in times of crisis.

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