He said his government and Nigerians sympathise with the Italian government and the affected families.

The President state this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, August 25, by the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

The statement said: "My heart and prayers go out to the people of Italy at this time of national mourning, caused by the devastating earthquake.

"President Buhari told the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, that his family, the government and the people of Nigeria shared the grief of Italian citizens over this deadly natural disaster."

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The President prayed to God to comfort the families of the victims and grant them the fortitude to overcome their grief at this emotionally challenging time.