LAGOS, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Thursday expressed condolences to Haiti's President René Préval and the people of Haiti over the devastating earthquake that struck the country's capital, Port-au-Prince.

"Our hearts grieve at the magnitude of the devastation, the extensive destruction and the thousands of lives that were lost in the disaster," Nigeria's Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan said instatement reaching here on Friday.

A major earthquake of magnitude-7, which was never recorded in the region, rocked Haiti on Tuesday, crushing thousands of buildings, including the presidential palace and the UN peacekeeping headquarters, and trapping untold numbers of people in the rubble of the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

Jonathan said the news of the quake which struck at night in Haiti on Tuesday was received with shock.

According to him, the earthquake and its consequent destruction and loss of lives occurred at a time Haiti was facing crucial challenges of nation building.

He expressed Nigeria's sympathy with Haiti, noting that Nigerians shared in the grief of their Haitian brothers and sisters.

"As the international community mobilizes in aid of Haiti it can count on Nigeria's support and understanding in all ways," the statement quoted Jonathan as saying.