The families of three victims of the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Building fire at Balogun Market, Lagos, have invited the public to a Service of Songs and Requiem Mass to honour their loved ones.

The deceased are Stephen Onyeka Omatu (Mr Classic), Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu. The solemn ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Jesus the Saviour Catholic Church, Ken Nlemedim Street, Bucknor, Ejigbo, Lagos.

The invitation, jointly issued by the family and church authorities and signed by Rev. Fr. Joseph Ozo’ Nwokeforo and Rev. Fr. William Omatu, brother of the deceased, urges friends, well-wishers, and associates to pray for the repose of the departed souls. Also listed are Sir John Mokwunye, Vice Chairman of the Pastoral Council, and other family representatives.

The tragic blaze, which occurred on December 24, 2025, gutted the 25-storey commercial building, leaving families and traders in shock. Eyewitnesses and relatives said that combustible materials, poor storage practices, and structural weaknesses contributed to the fire’s intensity, trapping many occupants.

Mr. Emmanuel Anumba, a relative, revealed that the three siblings—Stephen (40), Casmir (39), and Collins (37)—were burnt beyond recognition. He added that their surviving twin, Camillus Ugochukwu Omatu, narrowly escaped and has led efforts to recover the victims. Due to the state of the site, ashes were collected for burial.

Anumba criticized the response of Lagos State emergency agencies, alleging delayed evacuation and insufficient equipment, while traders reported that fire service delays allowed the blaze to spread further.

Following the incident, the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ordered nearby residents and businesses to vacate the area after expert evaluation deemed the building unsafe, according to a statement from the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.