By Crystal Ugoeze
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of three siblings—Stephen Onyeka Omatu, Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu—who lost their lives in the fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance building in Lagos.
In a statement on Wednesday, Obi said he attended the burial of the three brothers, describing the occasion as “deeply emotional and heartbreaking.” He lamented that the young men were trapped in the burning building for days, during which they reportedly sent distress calls for help without any emergency response.
According to Obi, the victims remained buried under the rubble for several days before their bodies were eventually recovered, a situation he described as a grave failure of the system meant to protect citizens.
“This is not just a personal loss for their family; it is a national loss,” Obi said, stressing that the tragedy highlights the urgent need to improve Nigeria’s emergency response services. He noted that no Nigerian should be left to perish due to the absence or inefficiency of rescue services.
The former governor called for decisive action to ensure that emergency services are strengthened, functional, and accessible to all citizens, adding that every life matters and tragedies of this nature must never be allowed to recur.
Obi also offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to grant their family the strength to bear the painful loss, while urging Nigerians and leaders alike to remember the brothers by working toward a safer and more responsive nation.