The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed shock and grief as it commiserates with the government and people of Niger and Kano states over twin devastating tragedies that claimed several lives.

The ACF noted that the Niger State devastating flood claimed many lives, destroyed property and livelihoods, submerged homes and other critical infrastructure, disrupted the haulage of goods, including foodstuff, to and from the South-West.

Also, the northern group lamented the Kano State road traffic accident, which involved the state’s contingent of athletes, officials and journalists returning from a sports festival at Ogun State.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, yesterday, stated: “The ACF deeply mourns the lives lost, prays to Almighty God to provide succour to survivors to enable them to remain resilient with necessary strength to rebuild lives and livelihoods.”

Meanwhile, Niger State Government, yesterday, announced the recovery of two more dead bodies under the bridge and they had been buried accordingly.

Secretary to the State government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, who disclosed this in a statement in Minna, said that as of yesterday, search and recovery operations had led to the discovery of two additional bodies, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 153.

He said that the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), in collaboration with local authorities and volunteers, would continue to work round the clock to provide relief to the affected people.

The SSG said this is a time of mourning and collective grief for the people of the state, as spreading unverified or sensational information only adds to the sorrow and confusion already being experienced. He, therefore, urged the citizens to cooperate with the relevant authorities and have trust in the ongoing response efforts.