President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday expressed deep regret over the death of tens of people in Nnewi, Anambra State, following an industrial gas explosion which occurred a few hours before the Christmas celebration.
Many people were believed to have died while more than 20 others sustained injuries in the gas plant explosion, which occurred on Thursday 24/12/2015.
According to some residents of the city, several buildings, over 60 vehicles and more than 50 motorcycles were burnt beyond recognition in the disaster.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the President said he was greatly shaken and shocked by such large-scale loss of human lives in a single industrial accident.
He described the loss as casting a gloom on the families of the victims “who were looking forward to a joyous Christmas celebration.”
The President extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the government of Anambra State over what he described as an “unfortunate tragedy on Christmas Eve.”
“My heart and prayers go out to these grieving families at this difficult and painful moment,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Buhari has also condoled with the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Adda Gombeji, who died at the age of 87.
He also condoled with the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, who equally lost his mother.
Shehu said the President personally made telephone calls to Mustapha and Emefiele to express his sympathy to the monarch and the CBN Governor over the death of their mothers.
Buhari described a mother as “an invaluable component of family life, and the pillar and comforter of the children.”
He prayed to Allah to bless the souls of the deceased, and grant Mustapha, Emefiele and other members of their families the fortitude to bear the losses.
