Anambra man who returned from China for Christmas dies in Lagos fire incident

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By Sunny A. David, Awka

Tragedy has struck the Umuoji community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State following the death of a man who had returned from China to celebrate the Christmas season with his family.

The victim, identified as Obumneme and popularly known as Nzeakaibeya, reportedly lost his life during a fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a high-rise commercial building on Lagos Island, on Christmas Eve.

According to reports and eyewitness accounts circulating online, Obumneme was trapped inside the building when parts of the structure collapsed as the fire spread.

He was said to have initially managed to retrieve some goods from the burning complex but returned a second time to salvage more items. Unfortunately, the situation worsened, and he was unable to escape.

Viral videos and audio recordings shared on social media reportedly captured his final moments, including distress calls made to his wife as he sought urgent assistance. In another widely shared voice note, his wife was heard appealing to people near the scene to help rescue him, but no immediate help arrived before the fire intensified.

The incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing grief and frustration over the alleged delay in emergency response at the scene.

Obumneme’s death has thrown the Umuoji community into deep mourning, as friends, relatives, and sympathizers described him as a hardworking and enterprising young man whose life was cut short unexpectedly.

The fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House resulted in further casualties, as three additional bodies were later recovered, while eight people were rescued with injuries. Goods worth billions of naira were reportedly destroyed, affecting numerous traders and importers.

Confirming the incident, the Spokesperson of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Nosa Okunbor, said the fire started at about 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve from the fourth floor of the 25-storey building and spread rapidly.

He stated that emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, worked through the night into Christmas Day to contain the fire. Several adjoining buildings were also affected, though most were eventually secured through coordinated rescue efforts.