A former deputy governor of Bauchi State, Baba Tela, has lost two of his children in a fatal accident along the Bauchi-Azare road.

Mr Tela, who was also a former senator, lost his son, Mustapha and daughter, Ummi, in the crash while they were returning from Azare town on Saturday.

Mukhtar Gidado, special adviser on media and publicity to Governor Bala Mohammed,  said in a statement that the governor prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give the family strength to bear the loss.

He also urged the bereaved family to take solace in Allah’s will, reminding them that every soul will return to God at the appointed time.

Mr Mohammed sympathised with the injured victims in the crash and prayed for their quick recovery.

He urged residents of the state to pray for the repose of the deceased souls.

In a condolence message on Facebook, a former senate president, Bukola Saraki, condoled with the bereaved family over the loss.

“We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Me and my family are extending our condolences to my brother, Senator Baba Tela, former deputy governor of Bauchi state, whose two children died, Mustapha and Ummi, as a result of a car accident on their way from Bauchi to Azare,” he wrote.

Mr Saraki also prayed for mercy for the deceased.