Remains of deceased Omatu brothers laid to rest in Anambra

By Folashade Olorunfemi –

A sober mood enveloped the Omatu family and sympathisers as the remains of the three Omatu brothers — Steve, 40; Casmir, 39; and Collins, 37 — who lost their lives in the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House fire incident on Lagos Island, Lagos State, were laid to rest in Ihiala, Anambra State, earlier today.

The burial of the three brothers followed a service of songs held in honour of their departure at Jesus the Saviour Catholic Church, Ejigbo, where hymns and prayers were offered for the repose of their souls.

The fire, which claimed eight lives, including the Omatu brothers who were trapped in the building on December 24, 2025, reportedly started on the fourth floor at about 5pm and spread to the sixth floor of the plaza before engulfing the entire building and adjoining structures.

Emergency response teams took swift action following reports from the incident. First responders included the Lagos State Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Police and the Red Cross, but they were unable to put out the fire due to limited resources.

Speaking with the press, a brother of the deceased, Rev. Fr. William Omatu, explained that his brothers were trapped in the building from December 24 to December 31, 2025, while their siblings cried for help without response.

“It is so unfortunate that three of my brothers were trapped in the fire incident and the fire service could not do justice. They came with little water and could not do anything when it got exhausted, while my brothers were dying.

“The other siblings were outside seeking help, but there was none. My brothers were there from December 24 to December 31, and there was no help,” the bereaved clergyman lamented.