Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has described the deaths of three brothers; Stephen Onyeka Omatu, Casmir Nnabuike Omatu and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu, in the fire incident at the Great Nigeria Insurance building in Lagos as a grave national failure, saying the tragedy exposed the collapse of Nigeria’s emergency response system.
Obi spoke after attending the burial of the siblings, whose
lives were cut short after they were trapped in the burning building for days
without rescue.
In a statement he personally signed, the former governor
said the incident went beyond a family’s grief and reflected a systemic
breakdown that continues to cost Nigerians their lives.
He said the brothers’ deaths highlighted the consequences of
neglect and institutional unpreparedness, noting that repeated cries for help
went unanswered before their bodies were eventually recovered from the rubble
several days later.
“Yesterday, I attended the deeply emotional and
heartbreaking burial of three siblings; Stephen Onyeka Omatu, Casmir Nnabuike
Omatu, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu, the young brothers whose lives were
cruelly cut short in the fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance building in Lagos.
“For days, these young men sent desperate pleas for help
while trapped inside the building, yet no emergency services came to their
rescue. Their bodies were only recovered several days later, after days of
unanswered calls.
“This is not only a devastating loss for the Omatu family;
it is a national loss. Their deaths are a painful reminder of the urgent need
to strengthen our emergency response systems and make them accessible,
responsive, and effective for every citizen.
“We cannot continue like this. Every life matters, and no
Nigerian should be left to perish in such a gruesome manner when timely help
could, and should, have been provided,” Obi added.
The former governor also offered prayers for the deceased
and their grieving family, calling for collective resolve to prevent a
recurrence.
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