President Bola Tinubu on Thursday vowed to punish whoever was found culpable in the error drone bombing that claimed over 100 lives at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Nigerian Army claimed responsibility for dropping the bomb on the community while celebrating Maulud on Sunday at about 9 pm.
The President also assured all that all the victims would be taken care of under the FULAKO Initiative which would commence by this month.
The FULAKO Initiative is the President’s unique response as a non-kinetic solution to the challenges in the North West.
Beneficiary states are Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, and Kaduna and for equity band justice, we deliberately included Niger and Benue States.
According to him, the Tudun Biri community will be the first community to be rebuilt under the new initiative.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the statement on Thursday shortly after visiting the victims at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital to condole with them over the incident.
The President said the Federal Government remains committed to the fight against banditry across the region.
He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent us to commensurate with the people of Kaduna over the tragic incident. The caliber of people that are here with me is a testimony to how deeply touched the president was by the incident.
“The President was deeply touched by what happened we would like to assure the people and government of Kaduna State that the government will take measures to protect and preserve the interest of our nation.
“The victims will be well taken care of under the FULAKO Initiative which will commence by this month and this community will be the first to be rebuilt in the northwest zone.
“All measures will be taken to ensure that future occurrences are averted. Government will go to the root of the issue and anyone found culpable will be punished accordingly.”
Meanwhile, at the Sir Kashim Government House, Kaduna, in the state capital, where the Vice President met with religious and traditional leaders as well as some leaders of the affected community, he said he was in the state on behalf of the President to commiserate, to sympathise and empathise with the people and government of Kaduna State over the unfortunate incident at Tudun Biri.
Shettima told the gathering that the President was deeply touched and concerned by what happened at the Tudun Biri village.
He assured that the Federal Government would stand by the affected community and the good people of Kaduna State over the incident.
“I am here because the President is deeply concerned; he was deeply touched by what happened. Like the late Adele Giwa rightly said, ‘You don’t talk about the numbers, one life lost in cold blood is as gruesome as a million lost’.
“The heart of the President is with the bereaved families. And be rest assured that, the Federal Government stands by the community affected and the government and people of Kaduna state on this unfortunate incident. The President called me more than 17 times on this matter when he was outside the country.
“As directed by Mr President, an investigation is being conducted with a view to preventing recurrence of the incident and we expect the report to be submitted very soon.” He said.
He commended the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani for bringing the religious leaders together under one umbrella, saying that, “what binds us together as a prime supersedes what divides us. In this trying moment, he brought together the two heads.”
Gov Sani commends Tinubu for sending a high-powered delegation
Speaking at the gathering, the state governor, Senator Uba Sani commended President Tinubu for the high-powered delegation sent to commiserate with the people of the state and for responding to the call for an investigation into the matter.
“The FG has responded positively by saying that there is going to be a proper investigation, as soon as possible and the outcome will be made public to Nigerians,” he said.
The governor added that the state government on its part would ensure that the wounded were provided with proper medical care and cater for the orphans.
He noted that the FULAKO Initiative under the Vice President’s office would kick start in Kaduna at Tudun Biri community.
“This is because they have lost everything, Houses will be rebuilt and provide hospitals, schools and farming facilities for them,” he said.
He also commended religious leaders for cooperating with the government, assuring the people of Kaduna state that compensation would be paid, and houses would be rebuilt, “We will also ensure that a similar thing does not happen again,” he said
Several speakers at the event, from the Kaduna State Chapter Chairmen of Jama’atu Nasril Islam and the Christian Association of Nigeria, Prof. Shefiu Abdullahi and Rev.John Hayab respectively, as well as representatives of Tudun Biri community called for the probe of the unfortunate incident and payment of compensation to the victims’ families.
