Odita Sunday 
As smoke-stained ruins and twisted debris mark the aftermath of the devastating fire at Great Niger House on Lagos Island, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has intensified recovery and safety efforts by deploying a high-level response team to the scene.
On Wednesday, Air Commodore Usman Bature, NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, led a multi-agency rapid site assessment at the fire-ravaged building on Marina. The operation focuses on evaluating structural stability and ensuring the safety of emergency responders still working amid the debris.
Air Commodore Bature explained that the assessment is critical due to the extensive damage sustained by the building. He noted that the primary goal is to determine the level of technical support required to sustain the mission while safeguarding personnel.
“Given the scale of destruction, it is essential to evaluate the structural integrity of the building to protect responders and guide further operations,” Bature stated. To reinforce these efforts, the NEMA South-West Zonal Director has been deployed to Lagos to coordinate activities alongside the Lagos Operations Office.
Bature commended the Lagos State Government and all responding agencies for their swift and professional intervention. He emphasized that an incident of this magnitude requires sustained collaboration between government institutions and relevant private organizations.
The joint assessment team includes representatives from NEMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency.
NEMA has urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information about the incident, advising reliance on official and credible sources for updates. Meanwhile, a dedicated response team remains stationed at the scene to support the ongoing recovery operations.
The Great Niger House fire continues to draw significant public attention due to its scale and location within Lagos’ primary commercial hub, as authorities work to mitigate risks and prevent further casualties.
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