President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed that whoever is found wanting in the error drone bombing that killed over 80 people at Tudun Biri village of Kaduna State will be punished accordingly.
Represented by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, shortly after visiting the victims at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital to condole them over the unfortunate incident, the president has also assured that all the victims will be cared for under the Folako Initiative which will commenced by this month.
According to him, the community will be the first community to be rebuilt under the new initiative, adding that the federal government remain committed to the fight against banditry accross the region.
“The 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 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.
“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.
“All measured 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,” he said.
He said the President is deeply concerned and deeply touched by what happened. Like the late Dele 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.
“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.
“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 politicize the the incident, by 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. 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,” 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 devides us. In this our trying moment, he brought together the two heads.
Gov Sani Commend Tinubu
Kaduna State Governor appreciated the president for sending the delegation with VP to commiserate with the people of Kaduna state and appreciated the FG for responding to the call for immediate investigation into the incident.
“The FG has responded positively by saying that there is going to be proper investigation, as soon as possible and the outcome will be made public to Nigerians.
He said the Kaduna State Government, on its part, will ensure that it look after the wounded and also provide proper medical care, while it will take care of the orphans by giving them support.
He noted that the FULAKO Initiative under the Vice President’s office will kick start in Kaduna at Tudun Biri community.
“This is because they have lost everything, Houses will be rebuilt and provide hospital, schools and farming facilities for them,” he said.
He also commended religious leaders for corporating with the government, assuring people of Kaduna state that compensation will be paid, and houses will be rebuilt, “We will also ensure that similar thing does not happen again,” he said
Several speakers at the event, from the Kaduna State Chapter Chairmen of JNI and CAN, Professor Shefiu Abdullahi and Rev John Hayab respectively, as well as representatives of Tudun Biri community called for investigation of the unfortunate incident and payment of compensation to the victims families.
The Vice President was accompanied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje among other government officials.
After visiting Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, the Vice President held meeting with stakeholders at Kaduna State Government House.
Others who attended the meeting were members of the National and State Assemblies as well as the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, traditional rulers, religious and community leaders.
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