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Family mourns, fixes burial date for three brothers who died in Lagos Island fire
Grief has continued to envelop the Omatu family following the death of three brothers who were among the eight victims of the devastating fire that engulfed the Great Nigeria Insurance, GNI, building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, on December 24, 2025.
The deceased: Stephen Onyeka Omatu, 50, Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, 39, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu, 37, were natives of Ihiala in Anambra State.
They were in Lagos pursuing economic opportunities and were reportedly conducting business within the Great Nigeria House, a busy commercial complex comprising offices, shops and warehouses.
According to family members, the fire broke out unexpectedly and spread swiftly through sections of the building, leaving occupants with limited opportunity to escape.
Witnesses recounted chaotic scenes as thick smoke filled the structure and people desperately attempted to flee.
The three brothers were among those trapped inside, and their remains were recovered after firefighters brought the blaze under control.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to persistent concerns over fire safety, emergency preparedness and compliance with building regulations in Lagos’ densely populated commercial districts, where similar incidents have repeatedly resulted in loss of lives and property.
Those who knew the Omatu brothers described them as hardworking, closely bonded and dedicated to the welfare of their immediate and extended family.
Since the incident, sympathisers from within and outside Anambra State have continued to send condolence messages.
Community groups, youth organisations and religious bodies in Ihiala have held prayer sessions in their memory, while also renewing calls for stricter enforcement of safety standards in commercial buildings.
A service of songs was held in their honor on January 7, 2026, at Jesus the Saviour Catholic Church, Bucknor Ejigbo, Lagos.
The family announced that the brothers will be buried on January 14, 2026, in their hometown of Ihiala.
Burial preparations are ongoing, with relatives arriving from different parts of the country to pay their final respects.
Traditional rulers and representatives of various associations are also expected to attend the funeral rites.
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Kidnappers Took Loan With My Phone – Victim Recounts Ordeal
A woman has shared a disturbing account of her abduction in Abuja, detailing how kidnappers allegedly exploited her personal information during captivity.
According to her, she was kidnapped while going home in a bus and kept blindfolded for two days as her captors demanded a ransom of ₦5 million from her family and friends.
She further alleged that while she was still in captivity, the abductors accessed her phone and used it to download a loan application.
With her ATM card and identification documents in her possession at the time, they reportedly secured a loan of ₦148,000 without her knowledge.
The victim said she remained unaware of the transaction throughout her ordeal, as she was blindfolded and focused on pleading for her life.
She revealed that when she later found out and wrote to the loan app, they insisted she must pay off the loan.
“I was kidnapped in a bus in Abuja. They blindfolded my eyes for two days. Even after asking for ransom of 5 million from my family and friends, they took a loan. They downloaded a loan app on my phone, and I always carry my ATM card and my ID cards in my bag, so they used it to up the loan app and took a loan of 148 thousand Naira. I didn’t even know about the loan all the time I was there cause I was blindfolded and just begging for my life….” she partly said.
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Man Ends His Marriage After Finding Photographs Of His Wife With Another Man While Browsing Google Maps
A husband was left shocked and reportedly had to end his marriage after discovering photos of his wife with another man while using Google Maps.
The man was using Google Maps to plan a route before setting off on a journey when he noticed an image of his wife sitting on a bench, stroking the hair of another man whose head rested in her lap.
Captured by a Google camera vehicle in Lima, the Peruvian capital, the stunned husband said the photograph grabbed his attention because the woman pictured seemed to be wearing identical clothing to pieces his wife owned.
Although the photo dated back to 2013, the furious husband challenged his wife with proof of her previous betrayal.

The pair, whose identities remain anonymous, subsequently divorced after the woman confessed to having an affair.
In a twist of fate, she was photographed with her lover on a bench near the city’s Puente de los Suspiros de Barranco (Bridge of Sighs of the Ravine).
The husband recently posted the photographs on Facebook where they sparked considerable reaction amongst users.
One social media commenter, San Pateste, said: “What a small world it is… It would have been enough if she said to her husband that she did not love him any more.”
Guillermo Sanchez added: “Out of 100 women, 90 per cent are not loyal, the rest are loyal and only have one eye (hahaha) or are immortal (hahaha).”
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Explosion injures soldier, NSCDC personnel in Imo
An Improvised Explosive Device, IED, explosion injured a soldier and a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
A counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this disclosure on X.
Makama disclosed that the incident occurred at about 8:35am on March 18 during a joint operation by troops of 34 Artillery Brigade in the Orsu general area.
According to the source, the personnel were operating around a suspected hideout of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, when they stepped on a concealed pressure-activated IED.
It noted that the device detonated, leaving both operatives injured.
“They were immediately administered first aid and subsequently evacuated to a medical facility for further treatment.
“Operations are ongoing in the area to dismantle criminal hideouts and enhance safety,” the source said.
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