The federal government is to rebuild Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state which was recently bombed in error by a drone of the Nigerian Army on Sunday.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, disclosed this on Thursday when he visited wounded victims of the incident at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna.
Shettima said the community will be rebuilt under the FULAKO Initiative.
About 120 people were killed, while over 60 others sustained injuries when the Nigerian army drone on routine operations against bandits accidentally hit the villagers who were celebrating the birthday of Prophet Mohammed on Sunday night.
The Vice President who was accompanied to the visit by top government functionaries said President Bola Tinubu has vowed to punish anyone found wanting in the incident.
Shettima said the federal government remains committed to the fight against banditry.
He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent us to commensurate with the people of Kaduna over the tragic incident .
“The calibre of people that are here with me is a testimony on how deeply touched the president was by the incident.
“The President was deeply touched by what happened and we will like to assure the people and government of Kaduna state that the government will take measures to protect and preserved the interest of our nation”.
Shettima said, “The victims will be taken well care of under the FULAKO Initiative which will commenced by this month and this community will be the first to be rebuilt in north west zone.”
He said, “All measures will be taken to ensure that future occurance are averted.
“Government will go to the root of the issue and anyone found culpable will be punished accordingly”.
While addressing religious leaders at the Government House, Kaduna, Shettima said, President Tinubu was “deeply touched by what happened.
He noted that, “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”.
Shettima said further that, “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.
“I want to register our profound gratitude to our religious leaders, our community leaders who served as stabilizing forces in this trying moment.
“Efforts were made to politicise the incident, but our leaders chose to act in the path of decency, on the path of moderation, on the path of maturity and we cannot but thank them profusely.
“Most importantly, the President has approved the commencement of the FULAKO Initiative by next month”.
According to him, “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, Kaduna and for the purpose of equity band justice, we deliberately included Niger and Benue states.
“Now, the President has directed that the FULAKO Initiative should be kick-started here in Kaduna State, and Tudun Biri will be the first beneficiary community.
“Under the initiative, we are going to build houses, clinics, schools, veterinary hospitals, empowerment initiative, solar energy and so on.
“It is a complete package of solution; a non-kinetic responses to the problems of banditry and kidnapping in the North West.
“I can assure you that the President meant well for the North. The President meant for the nation.
He commended the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani for bringing religious leaders together under one umbrella, saying that, “what binds us together as a prime supersedes what devides us.”
Also speaking, Governor Uba Sani who had been away when the incident occurred, thanked the president for sending the delegation led by the Vice President to commiserate with the people of Kaduna state
He commended the federal government for the positive response.
He said the Kaduna state government on its part will provide proper medical care for the wounded.
