Airline Crash: Nigeria Sympathises With Ethiopia

President Buhari has sympathised with the Government and people of Ethiopia over the crash of an Ethiopian Airliner, killing 149 passengers and eight crew members.

The plane, which was bound for Nairobi, Kenya, went down in the early hours of Sunday.

Reacting to the news of the incident, the President expressed shock, saying that the high casualty figure was worrying indeed.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Nigeria, the President extends his sincere condolences to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, the people of Ethiopia, Kenya, Canada, China and all other nations who lost citizens in the air disaster.

“The President also commiserates with the families of the victims and prays God Almighty to grant the gentle souls of the departed eternal rest”, a statement by presidential spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as saying in Daura.

He added, “Such large scale loss of human lives in a single incident is shocking beyond words.

“I am profoundly touched by this devastating report of air accident involving one of the world’s most successful and efficient Airlines.

“Given its remarkable safety record, this couldn’t have come at a worse time for Ethiopian Airlines.”

The President further praised the airline, saying, “Like every other African leader, I am proud of the fact that Ethiopian Airlines represents one of Africa’s success stories.”