Two Victims Recovered from Great Nigeria Insurance Building Rubble in Lagos

LAGOS - Emergency response teams have recovered two bodies from the debris of the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Lagos Island, following a devastating fire that led to a partial structural collapse.

The recovery operation, led by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, comes after days of intensive search and rescue efforts at the historic skyscraper located on the busy Martins Street.

The GNI building, once a landmark of the Lagos skyline, has been the subject of safety discussions for years. Following this tragedy, structural engineers are conducting assessments to determine if the remaining shell of the building poses an immediate threat to the surrounding markets and residential areas.

"Our primary focus remains the safety of the public. The recovery phase is delicate due to the unstable nature of the burnt ruins," stated a LASEMA representative.

The incident has caused significant disruption to business activities in the Lagos Island central business district. Security cordons remain in place, and traders are being urged to avoid the immediate vicinity of the GNI building until a "all-clear" is issued by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).