Tears in Ihiala as three brothers burnt in Lagos high-rise fire laid to rest

The burial of three brothers. Steve (40), Casmir (39) and Collins (37) Omatu , who died in the 24 December 2025 fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance House in Lagos, took place in Ihiala, Anambra State, amid intense grief.

Family members, clerics and sympathisers wept as the caskets were laid for the requiem Mass.

Their elder brother, Rev. Fr. William Ugonna Omatu, accused the Lagos State government and its fire service of failing to respond promptly, calling the incident a “national tragedy” and urging a full investigation. He dismissed rumours by some traditionalists that a community deity caused the deaths, insisting many other victims also perished in the inferno.

An uncle, Chief Basil Ndedigwe, who said he witnessed the disaster, alleged government officials prevented people from helping victims and even barred the public from recording the recovery of bodies.

By the time he gained access to the building over a week later, his nephews’ bodies had turned to ashes.

The tragedy left two widows and several children, including Steve’s three young kids and Casmir’s pregnant wife. Community members and mourners were visibly emotional as the widows and children performed burial rites.

Former Anambra governor Peter Obi visited the family to condole with them, while the Ihiala LGA chairman represented Governor Soludo at the burial and promised support.

Priests present at the Mass urged the family to trust in God, rejecting superstitions linked to the deaths. Over 47 priests and 20 Reverend Sisters attended the funeral.

Meanwhile, Balogun Market traders recounted heavy losses, including one vendor who said he lost goods worth over ₦70 million theft made possible because security forces restricted traders from retrieving their items while vandals entered freely.