President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki have commiserated with King Salman Ibn Abdulaziz and the people of Saudi Arabia over the tragic loss of lives in Friday’s crane collapse at the Grand Mosque, Mecca.

A statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said Buhari also commiserated with the global Islamic community over the incident.

“As details of the deaths and injuries sustained in the unfortunate incident unfold, President Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to closely monitor developments and take necessary action to ensure the security and well-being of all Nigerian pilgrims.

“Buhari also urges all Nigerians to pray for the continued safety of their compatriots who are currently in Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.”

It also quoted the president as praying that Almighty Allah will receive the souls of those killed in the incident and grant the injured speedy recovery.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria in Saudi Arabia on Friday reported that the deadly incident occurred when heavy wind pulled down the crane at a construction site within Kaaba (Holy Mosque).

The crane, supplying construction materials at an ongoing multi-storey building, collapsed on some of the pilgrims, who were performing Dawaf (going round the Kaaba).

Saraki in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sanni Onogu, on Saturday in Abuja also prayed for quick recovery of those injured.

He noted that the tragedy, coming two weeks to a period where hundreds of thousands of Islamic faithful would gather at the holy mosque for this year's pilgrimage was disheartening.

He called on the Saudi authorities and relevant stakeholders to do all that was necessary to ensure safety of citizens and pilgrims in the holy city before, during and after the hajj exercise.

Saraki also condemned the bomb explosion that reportedly killed 14 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and injured 13 others at the Malkohi camp in Yola, Adamawa.

“The inhuman act could only have been perpetrated by sadists and evil people now facing imminent defeat.

“The IDPs in the North-East need our support now more than ever.

“The insurgents have resorted to cowardly methods because they are being routed by our military.

“We must continue to pray for the success of the ongoing military efforts against the insurgents.

“We urge the Nigerian military to remain resolute and focused because we are definitely witnessing the last days of Boko Haram in our country.”

He called on security agencies and ordinary Nigerians to be more vigilant, to prevent Boko Haram renegades from taking cover in their midst to carry out such dastardly acts in future.

“We must not be deceived by these pockets of attacks on innocent citizens because this attack represents the last desperate acts of a dying evil organisation now facing the full heat of our gallant troops.

“Our troops have demonstrated in no unmistakable terms that they are ready to keep a date with the December ultimatum given to the service chiefs to crush the insurgents.” (NAN)

•Photo shows President Buhari, Dr. Saraki

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