Peter Obi Calls It a National Tragedy at Funeral for Three Brothers Lost in Great Nigeria Insurance House Fire

Peter Obi has expressed his grief over the loss of the Omatu brothers, who tragically died when their workplace at the Great Nigeria Insurance House was consumed by fire.

The former presidential candidate was present at the funeral, which took place on January 14 in Ihiala, Anambra State.

Following the service, Obi shared his condolences on social media. He stated, "Yesterday, I attended a deeply emotional and heartbreaking burial for three siblings: Stephen Onyeka Omatu, Casmir Nnabuike Omatu, and Collins Kenechukwu Omatu, the three young men whose lives were tragically ended in the fire that occurred at the Great Nigeria Insurance building in Lagos, Nigeria.

"The magnitude of this tragedy is nearly impossible to articulate. For days, these young individuals sent desperate calls for help while trapped inside the structure, yet there were no emergency responders to assist them. It took days before their remains were retrieved from the rubble, marked by silence in response to their urgent cries at the moment they needed assistance most.

"This is not merely a loss for their family; it’s a national tragedy. This incident serves as a stark reminder that our emergency services must be enhanced and made accessible to all citizens. We cannot persist in this manner. Every life is valuable, and no Nigerian should have to face such disregard or be left to die in such a horrific manner when help was within reach.

"I hope that Stephen, Casmir, and Collins find eternal peace, and I pray that God grants their family the strength and comfort to withstand this unbearable sorrow. May we never forget their memory and may we take action to ensure such a disaster does not recur."

The victims included Steve Omatu (40), Casmir Omatu (39), and Collins Omatu (37), who lost their lives after becoming trapped in the high-rise building fire on December 24, 2025.

Another family member, Camillus Omatu, a twin brother of Collins, was reportedly able to escape the blaze.

At the funeral, Obi offered prayers for the souls of the deceased, remarking, "We are not in a position to question the will of God Almighty, who gives and takes. I am here to offer my condolences to you all, especially the young widows and their children. Losing such vibrant and promising young men is incredibly painful at this time."

"This is truly heartbreaking. My prayer is for God to grant them eternal rest in His kingdom, and to provide the family with the resilience to cope with this loss."

Obi also encouraged the citizens of the state to keep the grieving family in their thoughts and prayers.