The Lagos State Government has ordered residents and business owners living and trading near the burnt Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, to leave the area immediately amid serious safety concerns.
Officials say the evacuation directive follows a detailed assessment by structural experts, who warned that the fire-damaged building and surrounding structures now pose a major risk to life and property. The 25-storey tower was gutted by fire on 24 December 2025, and its weakened condition has raised fears that it could collapse or cause further damage to nearby properties.
Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, confirmed the evacuation order in a statement issued on 30 December. He said the government would enforce the instruction given by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressing the need to act swiftly to protect people in the vicinity.
According to the statement, safety experts deployed to the site found that several buildings within a 100-metre radius of the burnt GNI structure were “structurally compromised” and unsafe for continued occupation. As a result, all residents and businesses in that zone have been told to move out without delay.
Mr Omotoso expressed concern that some business owners had been attempting to ignore or breach the cordoned-off area around the site. He warned that bypassing the safety barriers was extremely dangerous and could lead to loss of life, reiterating that police and emergency officials were prepared to enforce the evacuation order if necessary.
The GNI building fire broke out in late December and quickly spread through multiple floors before firefighters and emergency responders brought it under control. The blaze caused extensive damage to the structure, and part of the building reportedly collapsed as a result of the intense heat and weakened supports.
In the days following the fire, authorities recorded fatalities and injuries among occupants and traders at the scene. Some people were rescued and taken to hospital, while initial reports suggest that emergency teams recovered the bodies of at least three adults from the debris.
The fire also affected surrounding structures, with several neighbouring buildings showing signs of stress or partial damage after the blaze. This has heightened anxiety among local residents and traders, many of whom are now uncertain about when they will be allowed to return.
Governor Sanwo-Olu has vowed that public safety is the top priority and that the government will not compromise on measures to safeguard the community, even if this disrupts commercial activities. Authorities have emphasised that the evacuation is a precaution to minimise risk while further assessments and necessary demolition work are carried out.
Some traders have already begun packing up goods and moving out of the restricted zone. However, officials say full compliance is critical to avoid further tragedies. The state government is urging everyone affected to cooperate with security and emergency personnel during the ongoing operation.
At the time of writing, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Meanwhile, residents and business operators around Martins Street continue to adjust to the sudden order to evacuate and the uncertainty about when it will be safe to return.
