Hope Fades in Balogun as Families Search for Trapped Loved Ones Following Christmas Eve Fire that Razed Multi-Billion Naira Plaza

A somber atmosphere has enveloped the heart of Nigeria’s commercial nerve center as the search for survivors of the devastating Balogun Market fire enters its fourth day. What was meant to be a season of celebration has turned into a desperate vigil for families waiting by the smoldering ruins of the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House.

Reporting today, Saturday, December 27, 2025, emergency officials confirmed the recovery of two male adults from the debris, but the “cries for help” that reportedly echoed from beneath the rubble in the early hours of Thursday have since fallen silent. The fire, which ignited on the fourth floor of the high-rise plaza around 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve, quickly escalated into an uncontrollable inferno that compromised the building’s structural integrity, leading to a partial collapse.

The tragedy has been punctuated by harrowing accounts of near-misses and final messages. One of the victims, Obumneke Samuel Chukwudolue, a businessman who usually resides in China, was reportedly trapped while attempting to salvage the last of his holiday stock. His friend and fellow trader, Zaccheaus Afolayan, recounted a chilling phone call received at 2:00 AM on Thursday: “He was begging us not to let him die. He said he wasn’t alone down there.” Sadly, Obumneke’s body was among those pulled from the site on Friday.

The humanitarian crisis is matched only by the staggering economic loss. Over six buildings were affected by the blaze, which firemen struggled to contain for over 12 hours due to narrow access roads and the highly combustible nature of the stored textiles and shoes.

“We are left to our fate,” lamented a widow, Ngozi Chukwu, who watched her N20 million Christmas inventory turn to ash. “The insurance companies refused to cover us, saying Balogun is a ‘fire zone.’ Now, everything I have worked for is gone.”

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during an on-the-spot assessment, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. While he commended the bravery of the first responders, he acknowledged that “no written report can truly reflect the pain” of the traders. The Governor has directed a full-scale investigation into the cause of the fire, with preliminary reports suggesting a potential generator malfunction.

As heavy machinery continues to move debris under the watchful eyes of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the window for finding survivors is rapidly closing. For the families still gathered at Martins Street, the transition from Christmas to the New Year has become a grueling test of faith amidst the smoke and ruins.