President Bola Tinubu on Friday flagged off the reconstruction of the Tudun-Biri village following the December accidental bombing which claimed no fewer than 100 lives of members of the community located in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima was on ground to perform the groundbreaking under the National Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflicts on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

THE WHISTLER reported that the development comes over six months after the community was accidentally bombed by the Nigerian Army on December 3, 2023.

The incident claimed over 100 lives of villagers with many others fatally injured. Some of the injured later died at the Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital in the state capital.

The state government had flagged-off the construction of a 5.5-kilometre asphalt road linking Tudun-Biri village and the Kaduna International Airport in March, 2024.

Apart from the construction of the access road to the village, the government also undertook the construction of a Skills Acquisition Centre and Modern Primary Healthcare Centre to serve the Tudun Biri people and neighbouring villages affected by the ill-fated bombing.

The President, represented by his vice while performing the groundbreaking, called on Nigerians to unite in solidarity against the common threats that undermine the nation’s collective well-being.

Tinubu noted that for a long time, Nigerians had been held hostage by fear allowing preventable incidents to escalate, saying that “today, we gather to say Enough is enough.”

He added that his administration was committed to bolstering Nigeria’s security infrastructure and advancing peace.

According to him, the resettlement scheme which is targeted at the communities affected by conflicts in Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Niger, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi, a testament to the courage of the survivors and signals an end to their pessimism.

The President said, “Today marks a fulfilment of a solemn promise. We are here to assure that the safety of each Nigerian shall be a priority, and we cannot claim to have achieved this until we restore dignity and security to those whose lives have been upended by conflict.

“The Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted By Conflict (RSPIC) is a timely intervention not only to construct residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities for victims of conflict but also to offer them a dignified environment to live and to dream.

“This is the promise of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a promise to make each Nigerian have a place of belonging and to learn to believe in Nigeria once again.”

In his welcome address, governor Uba Sani thanked the president for picking Tudun-Biri for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflicts.

The development, he said, was a clear demonstration of the President’s commitment to wiping off the tears of the Tudun Biri people, and indeed the poor, vulnerable in the land.

“He (President) recognizes the fact that decent accommodation and essential infrastructure are critical to the preservation of human dignity,” he said.

The governor also disclosed that so far N250 million being money donated by individuals, public and private institutions, had been disbursed to the victims of the December 3, 2023 drone attack.

This was just as he appealed to those yet to fulfil their pledge of donation for the people of the affected community, to do so.

Sani added that under the project being handled by National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), four Resettlement Communities would be built in Igabi, Ikara, Giwa and Kauru LGAs for Internally Displaced(IDPs) of victims of Banditry.

Besides, he continued the houses, hospitals and schools would be built to enable the victims to start life afresh.

“The Kaduna State Government has allocated lands to NEMA in Igabi, Ikara, Giwa and Kauru LGAs for the construction of the four resettlement communities. The Land Title Documents have been perfected by the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS),” he added.

Earlier in her remarks, the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, said the project represented a commitment to restore dignity, rebuilding lives, and fostering a sense of shared community that transcends division

“Today marks a pivotal moment in our collective determination to turn the tide of suffering into a tide of opportunity and renewal.

“This ceremony marks the dawn of a new chapter, a chapter where we join hands in unity to rebuild what has been broken, to heal what has been wounded, and to create a brighter future for all who have borne the burden of conflict and displacement.

“It is a testament to our shared commitment to justice, peace, and the inherent dignity and worth of every individual,” she said.