By Abimbola Ogunnaike
President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the death of President Ebrahim Raisi; Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials who died in a helicopter crash.
Raisi and nine others on Sunday, 19 May, 2024 lost their lives after a helicopter conveying them crashed due to poor weather in the mountains near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media confirmed Monday, 20 May, 2024.
On the afternoon of Sunday, 19 May, 2024, rescue teams had begun searching for Raisi when the aircraft went missing.
On morning of Monday, 20 May, 2024, relief workers located the missing helicopter and identified the president’s body and that of the others on board, State TV reported.
“President Tinubu expresses profound grief over this disturbing tragedy, and describes President Raisi as a leader who was passionately committed to the development of Iran,” the Presidency said in a statement signed by Tinubu’s spokesperson, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu condoles with Iran over passing of President Raisi.’
While commiserating with the bereaved families, Tinubu prayed for the continuous peace, stability, and prosperity of the Iranian nation.
