Authorities in Lagos State have set up a specialized committee to coordinate the controlled demolition of the GNI Building, which remains unstable after a recent major fire.
The Technical Recovery and Demolition Committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, has been tasked with designing and implementing a safe demolition plan while prioritizing the safety of emergency responders and the public.
Emergency agencies remain fully deployed at the site, which continues to be volatile due to weakened structural elements and deep pockets of combustible materials, including textiles and clothing, still smoldering within the debris. Officials warn that uncoordinated debris removal could trigger a collapse of the compromised structure.
The Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that eight people lost their lives in the incident, with five identified and three still unaccounted for, while 13 others were rescued. Search operations are ongoing in safer sections to ensure no one remains trapped.
Preliminary investigations have revealed serious fire safety lapses, including overstocked flammable materials, poor ventilation, and unsafe generator use near electrical transformers. The authorities stressed that these unsafe practices contributed to the scale of the disaster.
The affected market and surrounding areas remain closed to the public, with access limited to authorized personnel. An information center has been established at the site to assist families, traders, and stakeholders.
Officials reassured Lagos residents that all operations will continue until the site is fully stabilized and all risks are mitigated, in line with international disaster response standards.
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