…Obi, in his condolence message, prayed for God to grant the departed souls eternal rest.
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour party was present as the remains of the three siblings who perished in a fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, on December 24, 2025, were laid to rest on Wednesday in Uzoakwa community, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. The burial was marked by tears and mourning from family members, relatives, and community residents.
The deceased—Steve Onyeka Omatu (40), Casmir Nnabuike Omatu (39), and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu (37)—all from the Omatu family of Uzoakwa, lost their lives after being trapped inside the burning high-rise building. The tragic incident, which shocked Lagos residents, renewed concerns over fire safety and emergency response in the country. Family sources revealed that the intensity of the blaze made rescue impossible, and only ashes were recovered for interment.
A service of songs and a Requiem Mass had earlier been held at Jesus the Saviour Catholic Church, Ejigbo, Lagos, on January 7.
Among those who attended the burial ceremony in Ihiala were former Labour Party presidential candidate and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, as well as the lawmaker representing Ihiala Federal Constituency, Pascal Agbodike, alongside other sympathisers from the area.
Obi, in his condolence message, prayed for God to grant the departed souls eternal rest. He said, “We have no power to question God Almighty. He is the one who gives and takes. I am here in person to console you all, especially the young widows and your children. It is very painful to lose such energetic and promising young men at this time. My prayer is for God to grant them eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear this loss.”
The burial brought profound grief to the Ihiala community, with residents offering prayers for the souls of the deceased and strength for the family to endure the tragedy. Emotions ran high as the young wives of the deceased, relatives, friends, and schoolmates gathered to bid farewell. Many mourners, dressed in black and carrying posters of the siblings, wept openly, struggling to accept the loss.
Relatives described the tragedy as an unimaginable nightmare and the greatest shock of their lives.
According to earlier reports on January 7, the fire began on the fourth floor of the GNI House and quickly spread to the sixth floor, eventually engulfing the remaining levels and adjacent structures. A detached section of the plaza, estimated at seven floors high, collapsed during the inferno, trapping traders and market assistants.
The Omatu family suffered the worst loss, with Steve, Casmir, and Collins trapped in the blaze. A surviving twin, Camillus Omatu, reportedly escaped the fire. The family confirmed that a service of songs took place on January 7, followed by the burial on January 14.
