President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, met with the families of victims of the gas explosion in Kano State to express his condolences, describing the incident as sad and unfortunate.

No fewer than nine people were confirmed dead while 22 others were injured in the Kano explosion.

The victims’ family members, accompanied by various community leaders in Sabon Gari, Kano, including the Eze Igbo, Chief Nicholas Ibekwe, met with Buhari at the palace of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on Monday.

The President, who landed in Kano on Monday to officiate at the Nigerian Air Force Day and 58th Anniversary Celebration, started his visit to the state with a condolence visit to the Emir of Kano at his palace.

Speaking, Buhari said he was “extremely pained by the loss of lives and injury to many due to the explosion”, adding: “My thoughts and that of the nation are with the bereaved families. I hope the injured will recover fully at the earliest possible time.”

The President, who further drew parallels between Kano and his country home, Daura, Katsina State, described the palace of the Emir of Kano as his own home.

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He, therefore, commended the traditional institution and the people of Kano for standing with him at all times.

On his part, the Emir of Kano thanked Buhari for the condolences just as he commended the President for “providing a fair and just leadership”.

Bayero also commended the President for the “numerous things the Federal Government is doing” in the state and prayed for the emergence of good leaders in the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at the meeting, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, announced cash support in various sums for the families of the deceased, the injured and others whose property were partly damaged or destroyed by the explosion.

The Star