The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) says three bodies have so far been recovered from the rubble of the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building in Lagos, gutted by fire on Dec. 24.

The 25-story building, Political Economist NG recalls, was also gutted by fire in 2013 under controversial circumstances.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of LASEMA, Mr Nosa Okunboron, disclosed the extent of search in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

He said that the bodies recovered include: an adult female extricated from the collapsed structure and handed over to her husband; and a decapitated adult male with severed limbs.

Also recovered was another adult male whose body was recovered intact.

LASEMA said that a total of eight male victims with varying degrees of injuries including a fireman were rescued and taken to the hospital.

The agency added that three males and two females, who sustained minor injuries, received first aid at the scene and were later discharged.

He said that search and rescue efforts by LASEMA’s Response Teams, NEMA, Red Cross and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, were ongoing.