Balogun traders lament prolonged shop closures after deadly Lagos Island fire
Traders at Balogun Market on Lagos Island have expressed frustration over the continued sealing of their shops and the barricading of access roads by the Lagos State Government following the fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on December 24, 2025.
The inferno claimed the lives of eight people, including three siblings from the same family, while hundreds of shops in the busy commercial district have remained shut due to safety concerns. Despite the intervention of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the fire has not been fully extinguished, forcing a prolonged suspension of business activities in the multibillion-naira market.
When The Guardian visited the area on Wednesday, traders were seen gathered in groups, mourning the victims and expressing anxiety over the impact of the closures on their livelihoods.
One of the affected traders, Martin Amalos, said his shop had been sealed since December 25, leaving him unable to cater for his family. He noted that many traders depended on daily income and had been pushed into hardship by the shutdown, especially as the incident occurred during a peak business period.
Another trader, Oduloye Bimpe, said shop owners returned to the market to find their businesses sealed without any form of support. While acknowledging safety concerns, she said the government needed to show more consideration for traders who rely on the market for survival.
Similarly, a fabrics trader, Maduabuchukwu Ifeakomili, appealed to the state government to reopen the sealed sections of Balogun Market, stressing that many traders and residents affected by the closures had been left stranded and homeless.
Responding to the complaints, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, said the government’s actions were guided strictly by public safety concerns. He warned that the 25-storey GNI building posed a serious risk of collapse and could endanger lives within a wide radius.
Omotosho added that the market had only been closed for about two weeks, noting reports of individuals who attempted to retrieve goods while the fire was still burning and never returned. He stressed that the government was acting to prevent further loss of life, as more than 10 buildings were affected by the incident.
Meanwhile, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the fire. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Soludo described the incident as a tragic loss, particularly mourning three brothers from Anambra State who died in the inferno.
The governor praised the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Fire Service and other responders for their efforts, while urging residents to prioritise safety over property during emergencies. He also called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and measures to prevent a recurrence.
