Authorities in Lagos have moved to clarify misinformation after a viral video alleged that fresh survivors were rescued from the GNI building long after the fire was extinguished.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has dismissed the claim as false, stating that no additional victims were rescued following the Christmas Eve fire at the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Martins Street, Lagos Island.
According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the inferno claimed eight lives, while 13 occupants were rescued alive during coordinated emergency operations. The fire also spread to nearby structures, including a mosque and Oluwole Plaza, before firefighters successfully contained it.
Despite the incident being fully brought under control, a video that recently resurfaced on social media falsely claimed that 11 more survivors were evacuated 11 days after the fire.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, clarified that the video does not reflect any new rescue operation.
She explained that the fire, which occurred on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, affected the GNI building and five adjoining structures, and that all emergency rescue operations were concluded shortly after the incident.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that emergency personnel remain on site to carry out follow-up safety assessments and prevent secondary hazards.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service urged residents to disregard unverified information and rely only on official updates from government emergency agencies, warning that the spread of false reports could cause unnecessary panic and distress.
