In the aftermath of the Christmas eve fire that engulfed the 25-storey high-rise located at 47/57 Martins Street, Lagos, the Sunmonu Animashaun family has directed the management of the historic Animashaun mosque to stop all religious and commercial activities within and around the religious house until an integrity test is done on the building.
Last Friday, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu confirmed that eight persons died in the fire incident at thw Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building.
In a statement over the weekend, the Acting Chairman of the Animashaun family’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Rafiu Jawando; and the Secretary, Otunba Hakeem Animashaun sympathised with ‘all residents, business concerns, traders, and indeed all those who use the affected buildings to earn a living’.
The family also called on the state Building Control Agency to do an assessment of the building.
The statement read: ‘It is with a heavy heart full of sadness and sorrow that we recall the horrifying and tragic fire incident, which started on the 24th day of December 2025 at Shitta-Bey Court, also known as Great Nigeria Insurance House. By the next day, the fire had spread to our family house (Agbole Animashaun) and other adjoining buildings within the vicinity. In its ferociousness, it crossed over the road and completely razed down the Shitta-Bey mosque.
‘The impact of the fire in the environs has been massive. In fact, five buildings belonging to different branches of the family were also torched. In order to curb the spread of the fire, officers and men of the fire service had to demolish a part of the Animashaun Family House so as to provide more ventilation in order to be able to quell the fire. This demolition has substantially compromised the integrity of our family house in such a way that the safety of persons using the building couldn’t be guaranteed anymore.
‘Subsequently, the family is calling on the management of the Lagos State Building Control Agency to do an assessment of the building.
‘Also, the historic mosque, Animashaun mosque, reputed to be the first mosque in which jumah service was held in the city of Lagos, was partially impacted by the fire. However, the safety of occupants of the mosque could also not be guaranteed.
‘In that wise, the mosque management committee has been directed to stop all religious and commercial activities within and around the mosque until an integrity test is done on the mosque building.
The Sunmonu Animashaun family sympathises with all residents, business concerns, traders, and indeed all those who use the affected buildings to earn a living.
‘We pray that the almighty Allah will turn this loss into gain and replenish the pockets of everyone directly or indirectly affected by the fire. While we also mourn those who reportedly lost their lives in the incident. May the Almighty Allah give the families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss’.
