Saraki mourns Nigerians electrocuted while watching football

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has expressed shock over the death of football fans who were electrocuted at a viewing centre in Calabar, the Cross River state capital.

In a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu on Friday, April 21, 2017, Saraki described the incident as tragic but avoidable.

The Senate President commiserated with the immediate families of the victims, the government and people of Cross River State and football enthusiasts across the country over the sad incident.

Saraki called on local and state government authorities to ensure that football viewing centers and other public spaces are made safe and conducive across the country.

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He urged the Cross River state government to ensure that the recommendations of its commission of inquiry empaneled to investigate is not only made public but implemented to prevent a repeat occurrence.

Saraki commended the prompt response of the Cross River State government and other relevant emergency agencies to the sad occurrence while praying for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives, and quick recovery for the injured.

"This is clearly an unfortunate and avoidable loss of precious young Nigerians,” he said.

“As a government, we have a duty to ensure that our citizens are safe and protected, whether during leisure hour or work period.

“We must ensure that what is necessary to make our people secured in both public and private spaces is given the deserved priority at all times," he added.

Similarly, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has described as tragic and horrifying, the loss of several lives at a viewing centre in Calabar on Thursday.

The governor said this in a statement issued by Christian Ita, his senior special assistant on media and chief press secretary in Calabar on Friday.