The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 Governorship election in Edo State, Dr Asue Ighodalo, has expressed deep sadness at the tragic incident of falling trees that killed some enterprising market women in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area on Monday, describing it as “unfortunate”.

In a statement on Monday evening in Benin City, his media team quoted Ighodalo as saying: “I am terribly saddened and distressed by the news of enterprising market women killed in very tragic circumstances by falling trees in Jattu Market as a result of heavy rainfall that was accompanied by thunderstorm today. It is rather unfortunate. Here are enterprising market women, who in their characteristic resilient Edo spirit set forth early in the day in pursuit of their daily bread and means of sustenance meeting with their untimely death in such a tragic manner. This is very painful, saddening and heart wrenching.”

“I commiserate with the families of the victims, the Jattu community, Etsako West and the state government. It is certainly such a trying time. I urge you all to take this with philosophical equanimity as only God can explain this huge loss.

“I also pray for the many who sustained various degrees of injuries that God will speed up their healing and recovery process. Above all, it is my prayer that this type of tragic occurrence will not happen again. My team and I can assure you that we would do whatever is possible within our power to bring succour and relief to the families of those affected,” Ighodalo said.