Kaduna Bombing: Nigerian Govt Sets to Take Severe Action

Following the incident of an air strike intended to flush out terrorists on Sunday night accidentally hitting civilians during a religious celebration at Tudun Biri, the Federal government of Nigeria has vowed to punish the culprits.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, during a visit to the victims of the bombing at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital Kaduna on Thursday, said the government would get to the root of the incident.

He stated, “All measures will be taken to ensure that future occurrences are averted. The government will go to the root of the issue and anyone found culpable will be punished accordingly.”

Shettima disclosed that victims of the bombing would be taken care of under the Fulako Initiative of the President, which he described as a non-kinetic solution to the challenges in the North-West.

According to him, beneficiary states of the initiative include Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, and Kaduna. He added that for equity and justice, Niger and Benue states were included.

Bombed community

According to Shettima, the Tudun Biri community will be the first community to be rebuilt under the new initiative.

He stated, “President Bola Tinubu sent us to commiserate with the people of Kaduna over the tragic incident. The caliber of people that are here with me is a testimony of how deeply touched the President is by the incident.

“The President was deeply touched by what happened. We would like to assure the people and the government of Kaduna State that the Federal Government will take measures to protect and preserve the interests of our nation.

“The victims will be well taken care of under the Fulako Initiative and this community will be the first to be rebuilt in the North-West zone.

Later on Thursday evening, the Vice-President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, explained that the project, which would begin in January 2024, would include the building of houses, clinics, schools, veterinary clinics, empowerment initiatives, and solar energy, among others, in the Tudun Biri community.

He stated, “The President directed that the Pullako Initiative be kick-started here in Kaduna State. Tudun Biri will be the first beneficiary of that scheme. We are going to build houses that will complement the efforts of the Right Honorable Speaker.”

At the Sir Kashim Government House, Kaduna, where the Vice-President met with religious and traditional leaders, as well as some leaders of the affected community, Shettima stated, “The heart of the President is with the bereaved families. 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 to prevent recurrence of the incident and we expect the report to be submitted very soon,” Shettima stated.

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.”

On his part, the governor commended the President 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 Federal Government 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.

Sani said the state government would ensure that the wounded were provided with proper medical care and cater for the orphans.

PUNCH