The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to support ongoing rescue and recovery operations at the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Marina, Lagos Island, which was recently ravaged by fire.
The deployment followed a request by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for Federal Government assistance to enable the safe demolition of the distressed 22-storey structure, thereby creating access for excavation and recovery activities at the disaster site.
NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Usman Bature, alongside the agency’s Head of Operations in Lagos, Mr. Tunde Mohammed, led the CCECC technical team to the scene to commence preliminary assessments and consultations with relevant stakeholders.
During his second visit to the site on Friday, January 2, 2026, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised that excavation and recovery operations could not safely begin until the structurally compromised building is brought down in a controlled manner to safeguard the lives of emergency responders and members of the public.
CCECC has since mobilised heavy-duty equipment to the area and is currently conducting technical evaluations of the structure, while awaiting further directives from relevant authorities to proceed.
NEMA said it continues to work closely with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), fire services, security agencies and other emergency stakeholders to ensure a safe, coordinated and professional response operation.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Lagos State in managing the aftermath of the incident and facilitating effective rescue and recovery efforts at the site.
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