President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed regret over the death of the victims of the industrial gas explosion in Anambra which occurred few hours before the Christmas celebration.

In a press statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari said that he was greatly shaken and shocked by such large-scale loss of human lives in a single industrial accident, which casts 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,” he added.

President Buhari has also condoled with the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Adda Gombeji who passed away at the age of 87.

He has also placed a call to condole with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele who has equally lost his mother.

According to Mallam Garba Shehu, the President personally made the phone calls to the Lamido of Adamawa and Mr Emefiele to express his sympathy to the Monarch and the CBN Governor over the death of their mothers.

President 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 the Lamido, Godwin Emefiele and other members of their families the fortitude to overcome the losses. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows President Buhari.