President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi; Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials in a helicopter crash.
President Tinubu expressed profound grief over this disturbing tragedy, and described President Raisi as a leader who was passionately committed to the development of Iran.
While commiserating with the bereaved families, President Tinubu in a statement issued by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, prayed for the continuous peace, stability, and prosperity of the Iranian nation.
On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, the President assured the Islamic Republic of Nigeria’s support and prayers in this moment of grief.
President Raisi died on Monday after his helicopter crashed in a mountainous region of the country.
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Raisi was travelling with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian who also died in the accident.
Rescue teams had been scouring the area since Sunday afternoon after a helicopter carrying Raisi, the foreign minister and other officials had gone missing.
Early Monday, relief workers located the missing helicopter, with state TV saying the president had died.
“The servant of Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi has achieved the highest level of martyrdom whilst serving the people,” state television said on Monday, with Mehr news agency also saying he was dead.
The 63-year-old, a figure representing conservative and hardline factions in Iranian politics, was president for nearly three years.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei announced five days of public mourning and confirmed Mohammad Mokhber as interim head of the country’s executive branch.
Iran now has a maximum period of 50 days before a presidential election must be held to choose Raisi’s successor.
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