Nigeria has sent condolences to the Government and the People of the Federal Republic of Germany following a car attack on a crowded Christmas market on Friday in Magdeburg, Germany.
A statement signed on Saturday by the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read “The Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to express her sincere condolences to the Government and the People of the Federal Republic of Germany following a car attack on a crowded Christmas market on Friday 20th December, 2024 in Magdeburg, Germany.
“The unfortunate incident, which led to the death of five persons and over two hundred injured, is highly condemnable.
“Our thoughts are with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the families of all those impacted by the dreadful action.”
It was reported that at least five people were killed in a car-ramming attack at a German Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg that also left more than 200 injured.
Officials said that a Saudi man was arrested on suspicion of driving a car into the crowd.
The Friday evening attack on market visitors gathered to celebrate the pre-Christmas season comes amid a fierce debate over security and migration during an election campaign in Germany, where the far right is polling strongly.
“What a terrible act it is to injure and kill so many people there with such brutality,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in the central city, part of the former East Germany, where he laid a white rose at a church in honour of the victims.
“We have now learned that over 200 people have been injured,” he added. “Almost 40 are so seriously injured that we must be very worried about them.”
It was also reported that German authorities are investigating a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who has lived in Germany for almost two decades in connection with the car-ramming. Police searched his home overnight.
The motive remained unclear and police have not yet named the suspect. He has been named in German media as Taleb A.
Michael Olugbode
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