Lagos: Balogun Market traders decry continued closure weeks after GNI building fire

Traders in Balogun Market on Lagos Island have expressed frustration over the ongoing sealing of shops and the barricading of access roads by the Lagos State Government, weeks after the devastating fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance, GNI, building on December 24, 2025.

Ekwutosblog reports that the inferno claimed eight lives, including three members of the same family: Stephen Onyeka Omatu, Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu.

Despite intervention by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, portions of the fire remain active, resulting in the suspension of commercial activities in hundreds of shops across the bustling business district.

During a visit to Balogun Market, traders gathered in groups, discussing next steps, mourning the victims, and expressing concerns about the prolonged closure of their businesses.

One trader, Martin Amalos, lamented the economic toll of the shutdown, saying, “My shop has been closed since December 25. I can barely provide for my children. Many traders are stranded and unsure of how to cope.”

Amalos, who deals in children’s clothing, added, “The fire struck during the peak of my business, and I have spent all I had to survive.”

Another trader, Oduloye Bimpe, criticised the government for failing to offer any support. “Our shops were sealed without consideration for our livelihoods. There should have been assistance before the closures. Where do we go from here?” she asked.

She also noted that the affected building should have been demolished by now. “The government needs to take action while also considering our situation,” Bimpe added.

Fabrics trader, Maduabuchukwu Ifeakomili, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the financial hardship caused by the closures. “We rely on daily income to feed our families. We appeal to the government to reopen the sealed sections of Balogun and surrounding areas before Saturday,” he said.

Ifeakomili further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to expedite the demolition of the fire-damaged building. “There are also residents left homeless because their homes were sealed. Some of us are borrowing money just to eat,” he added.

Responding to the concerns, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, emphasised that the closures were driven by safety considerations. “We hope people will prioritise life over livelihood. The 25-storey building is at risk of collapse, which could endanger everyone within a 100-metre radius,” he said.

Omotosho added that the government’s actions were not punitive. “The area has only been closed for two weeks, and complaints have already surfaced. There are reports of people who entered the building to retrieve goods during the fire and never returned. Over 10 buildings were affected by the incident, and public safety remains our priority,” he explained.