The remains of three brothers who lost their lives in a devastating fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, were laid to rest on Wednesday in their hometown of Uzoakwa, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The deceased—Steve Onyeka Omatu (40), Casmir Nnabuike Omatu (39), and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu (37)—died after they were trapped inside the high-rise building during the inferno on December 24, 2025.
According to reports, the fire originated on the fourth floor of the building and spread rapidly to the upper levels, leaving occupants with no escape route and making rescue efforts impossible. Only ashes were recovered from the scene and subsequently interred.
The burial ceremony attracted family members, friends, community leaders, and prominent dignitaries, including former Labour Party presidential candidate and African Democratic Congress chieftain, Mr. Peter Obi, and the lawmaker representing Ihiala Federal Constituency, Mr. Pascal Agbodike.
While commiserating with the bereaved family, Mr. Obi described the incident as a deeply painful loss and offered prayers for the repose of the brothers’ souls and strength for those left behind.
“We have no power to question God Almighty. He is the one who gives and takes,” Obi said. “It is very painful to lose such energetic and promising young men at this time.”
The tragedy has continued to resonate deeply within the Ihiala community, where mourners clad in black arrived carrying posters of the deceased brothers, visibly struggling to come to terms with the scale of the loss.
The Omatu family was particularly devastated by the incident, having lost three sons in a single tragedy. A surviving twin, Camillus Omatu, narrowly escaped the fire.
Prior to the burial, a service of songs and a Requiem Mass were held at Jesus the Saviour Catholic Church, Ejigbo, Lagos, in honour of the deceased.
