A maternal uncle of three brothers who were among victims of the Great Nigeria House building fire at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, on December 24, 2025, Basil Ndedigwe, has blamed the Lagos State Government for his family’s tragic loss.
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Speaking to Peoples Gazette after the Service of Songs and Requiem Mass for the victims held at Jesus the Saviour Catholic Church in Ejigbo on Wednesday, Mr Ndedigwe alleged that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, upon arrival at the scene of the inferno, demanded N35 million from the market leaders before putting out the fire.
According to him, for two hours, the fire responders did not attempt to combat the fire, which started at the five-storey attachment, until it spread to the 25-storey building.
He, however, stated that the firefighters stopped operations not long after due to a lack of sufficient water, adding that if they had commenced work on time, his nephews might have survived the blaze.
Asked about his assessment of the state government’s response to the incident, Mr Ndedigwe said, “To tell you, if not that in church we leave everything for God, they are the ones that made things to be like this. They could not have died because when they initially called the fire service, they came requesting money, asking that they should give them N35 million before they resume work. I’ve never seen something of that nature.
“You know the 25-storey building is at Balogun Market. The first Fire Service officials that came brought their equipment and were joining them together, but they did not start work immediately. They were asking the market managers to give them N35 million before they start work. Some were asking them, ‘Do you think N35 million is something that someone will dip their hands into their pocket and give you? It’s something they will call for a meeting, and before calling for a meeting, you’ll see that the fire will escalate everywhere.’ So, they had been there.
“After two hours, when they saw that the fire had been escalating… because it started from the five-storey attachment to that 25-storey building, it was only then they started spraying water. Shortly after, they said that the water had finished in the tank. That’s why if one says, ‘Let Nigeria not happen to you,’ that person is giving you a good prayer because if Nigeria happens to you, you will fall into the abyss.”
Responding to the allegation, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, told The Gazette on Thursday that the state government was aware of the allegation.
He urged the Balogun Market leaders to name the errant official, noting that the governor would ensure disciplinary action against the person.
Mr Akosile said, “We heard it, and even the governor was appalled. Let’s subject it to critical thinking and reasoning. Is it possible? There is a fire and people will now say bring N35 million. Who is that person that will say that kind of thing? I don’t understand.
“We’re living in the age of phones and everything. God forbid that I have that kind of emergency and somebody is making such a demand. You and I know that one of the things you would do is to start recording that fellow because the person should be treated as a criminal. That aside, the answer is that it is not possible. It makes no sense at all.
“We commiserate with the people. It’s so bad losing three brothers. We don’t want to talk about the fact that they caused it by themselves. They were told to evacuate but were going inside to salvage their property. We don’t even need to be saying all of that because we’re talking about human lives here. It’s so sad. We’re so shaken. The governor is so shaken by it. It’s so bad, not just the three brothers, but including other people who died.
“The responders came there at the appropriate time. You know how difficult our people can be. Even the day the governor went there, it was difficult for us to navigate. They put all their goods on the road. They’re so disorderly.
“I’m sorry about the people who died. No amount of talk or reporting will bring them back. The market leaders should point out the person who was demanding money. It’s not a spirit that was demanding the money. When you raise this kind of allegation, it means there were meetings and conversations with officials. They would do us, even as a government, a lot of good by naming the person or persons.
“But I can tell you there is no official of the Lagos State Fire Service who would do that, and if anyone is found to have done so, I know Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu will not hesitate to take very strict disciplinary action against the person or persons.”
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