Emergency crews in Lagos remain at the scene of the recent fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, as authorities continue the search for people reported missing.
Lagos Island fire ongoing search and rescue efforts
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said on Thursday that its trained response teams, working with specialised equipment and in collaboration with health and security agencies, are conducting thorough searches of the affected structure and surrounding areas. The agency acknowledged the distress the incident has caused and reassured families that every effort is being made to locate survivors and account for those uncontactable.
LASEMA’s statement noted that responders remain focused on both rescue and recovery operations. Teams on the ground are assessing the safety of remaining structures and making methodical checks throughout the site to ensure no one has been overlooked. The agency confirmed that relevant partner agencies are providing support to maintain a coordinated and efficient operation.
Residents and relatives who have been unable to reach loved ones believed to have been in or close to the Great Nigeria Insurance building at the time of the blaze are asked to register their concerns at the LASEMA Complaints Unit established at the incident site. LASEMA said all information received will be verified and recorded, and will form part of a consolidated list of missing persons to guide rescue, recovery and identification work.
Authorities emphasised the importance of accurate information and urged members of the public to avoid gathering at the scene. Barricades and controlled access points have been put in place to allow emergency personnel to operate without obstruction. LASEMA also appealed for calm, saying cooperation with officials will improve the speed and effectiveness of search efforts.
The State Governor inspected the scene earlier, and orders have been issued for the affected structure to be removed once safety assessments permit. Officials said such steps are intended to prevent further hazards and to facilitate thorough investigations into the cause of the fire.
Health officials are on site to treat any injuries and to support identification procedures should recovery operations recover remains. Security agencies are assisting with perimeter control and with verifying the identities of those reported missing. LASEMA stressed that the combined approach is intended to speed up rescue work while safeguarding responders and the public.
Community groups and volunteer organisations have been asked to coordinate with official channels rather than conducting independent searches, to avoid compromising safety or disrupting operations. LASEMA reiterated that it will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward through the official complaints unit.
The agency’s ongoing efforts highlight the human toll of urban fires and the critical role of coordinated emergency response in reducing further harm. For now, the priority remains locating the missing, supporting affected families and ensuring a safe recovery process for those impacted by the incident.
Key Takeaways:
- LASEMA confirms search and rescue operations continue at the Great Nigeria Insurance building on Martins Street, Lagos Island.
- Families and the public urged to register missing persons at the on-site LASEMA Complaints Unit to aid verification and identification.
- Emergency teams supported by health and security agencies are coordinating efforts to locate survivors and compile a consolidated list of the missing.
- Authorities ask the public to avoid the scene to allow responders to work and promise timely updates.
