As the death toll from the earthquake that struck parts of Syria and Turkey nears 1,800, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari stated on Monday that the country is willing to assist those countries “in any way possible.”
He did this while offering his sympathies to the governments and people of Turkey and Syria, as well as to those whose loved ones were killed in the devastating earthquake that struck the Turkish city of Gaziantep in the south.
This was made clear by Buhari in a statement titled “Deadly Earthquake:” which was signed by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity. Turkey receives condolences from President Buhari, and Syria promises support.
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Syrian border community of Pazarcik near Gaziantep early on Monday.
Millions of Turkish citizens displaced Syrians, and refugees call the region their home.
According to Aljazeera, the initial quake was followed by a series of aftershocks and an afternoon 7.5-magnitude quake that killed almost 1,800 people and destroyed dozens of buildings.
The earthquake, which has been described as the nation’s most seismic occurrence in years, occurred at 4:17 a.m. local time, according to Turkey’s disaster and emergency management authority.
The President stated that Nigeria welcomes full support “in any way possible” in response to the incident.
“The President assures the many affected by this severe disaster and its aftershocks that the prayers and thoughts of Nigerians are with them. He wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
According to the statement, “President Buhari says Nigeria is ready to offer its full support in any way possible” as a steadfast friend of Turkey and Syria.