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FG To Build Houses, Clinics, Schools, Others In Tudun Biri
FG To Build Houses, Clinics, Schools, Others In Tudun Biri
- VP Shettima visits victims of drone misfire in Kaduna, Directs NEMA to provide adequate support
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has hinted at plans by the Federal Government to rebuild Tudun Biri village in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State which was hit by a misfire from drones belonging to the Nigerian military.
According to the VP, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that the Pullako Initiative should be kick-started in Kaduna State, with a complete package, including houses, clinics, schools, veterinary clinics, empowerment initiatives and solar energy, among others, in Tudun Biri community as a way of compensation for the destruction caused by the drone misfire.
The Vice President disclosed this on Thursday after visiting the victims of the drone misfire at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna State where some of the casualties, most of whom are women and children, are receiving treatment.
Senator Shettima also directed the Management of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise and provide adequate support to the victims of the tragedy in Tudun Biri village.
Announcing President Tinubu’s decision to rebuild the community, VP Shettima who spoke at a meeting with leaders and other stakeholders of the community said, “Most importantly, the President approved the commencement of the Pullako Initiative by next month. The Pullako Initiative is the President’s unique response as a non-kinetic approach to the challenges in the North West.
“Beneficiary states are Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and for the purpose of equity and justice, we deliberately included Niger and Benue States.
“Actually, our intent was to kick off the programme in Sokoto, but in the light of recent development, the President directed that the Pullako Initiative should be kick-started here in Kaduna State. And 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.
“But ours is a complete package as well, including houses, clinics, schools, veterinary clinics, empowerment initiatives and solar energy. It’s a complete package of solutions as a non-kinetic response to the problems of banditry and kidnapping in the North West.”
The Vice President also noted that President Tinubu is worried about the tragic incident, just as he pointed out that away from the number of casualties, it is gruesome to lose even one life.
Taking a leaf from the late Dele Giwa, VP Shettima said, “I am here because the President is deeply concerned. He was deeply touched by what happened. As the late Dele Giwa rightly said, let’s not talk about the numbers; ‘one life taken in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in a pogrom’.
“The heart of the President is with the bereaved families. We were in the hospital to sympathise with the victims and be rest assured that the federal government stands by the community affected, the government and the people of Kaduna State on this unfortunate incident.
“It is already directed by Mr President and an investigation is being conducted, to prevent a recurrence of the incident and we expect a report to be submitted in the shortest possible time,” said the Vice President.
Senator Shettima thanked religious leaders and elders of the community for not yielding to what he described as a plot to politicise the incident in an attempt to inflame passions.
“I want to register our profound gratitude to our religious leaders, to our community leaders, who have served as stabilizing forces in this trying moment. Efforts were made to politicise, to inflame passions, but our leaders chose to err on the part of decency, on the part of moderation, on the part of maturity, and I cannot but thank you most profoundly.
“Incidentally, among them are two of my friends, Dr. Imam Tukur and Sheikh Al-Misri. They are my very good friends and I want to thank you,” he noted.
Earlier at the hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Shuaibu Musa, told Vice President Shettima who was at the health facility to commiserate with victims of the drone misfire, that the hospital received 71 victims with different degrees of injuries.
He said some of the casualties have been referred to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.
The Vice President, in the company of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; the state Governor, Uba Sani; APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Minister of Defence, Ibrahim Badaru and other senior government officials, moved from bed to bed consoling victims of the attack, while receiving briefings on the health condition of each of the patients on their hospital bed.
Shettima, who battled to hold back tears from rolling out of his eyes, directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure that the victims get adequate relief materials.
FG To Build Houses, Clinics, Schools, Others In Tudun Biri
Troops Recover Rifle, Ammunition During Clearance Operation in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 403 Amphibious Brigade, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have recovered arms and ammunition during a clearance operation along a major supply route in Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the recovery was made at about 12:00 p.m. on April 29 during a shoulder clearance operation along the Baga–Cross Kauwa road in Kukawa Local Government Area.
The sources said the operation, conducted by troops alongside Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel and civilian volunteers, was part of ongoing efforts to secure the main supply route and prevent insurgent activities.
According to the sources, items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
They added that no contact was made with any suspected terrorists during the operation, which was carried out successfully without incident.
The sources said troops would continue clearance and surveillance operations to ensure sustained security along key routes in the area.
Troops Recover Rifle, Ammunition During Clearance Operation in Borno
Borno Adopts Gubio as APC Consensus Governorship Candidate
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday, presented Engr. Mustafa Gubio, the APC Governorship consensus candidate to Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Governor Zulum, who described the emergence of the candidate as the outcome of extensive consultations across party stakeholders.
According to Zulum, the decision reflects a unified position within the party in the state. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “strategic leadership, support and guidance” to both the government and the APC.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the leadership he is providing in the country and for the enormous support to Borno State as well as the APC, which has been unprecedented,” the governor said.
“ I would also like to commend the President, who has been instrumental in the emergence of Gubio as the consensus candidate.
Zulum also acknowledged the Vice President’s support in strengthening party cohesion in the state and for his support of the consensus candidate.
He further appreciated the APC leadership at all levels, party stakeholders, and the state’s residents for their support, prayers, and steadfastness, which he said paved the way for Gubio’s emergence.
The governor had earlier unveiled Engr. Mustapha Gubio as his preferred successor on Monday after purchasing the party’s Nomination and Expression of Interest forms for the 2027 governorship election under the APC platform.
Those in attendance during the presentation of the consensus candidate include former Governor, Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan; Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur; APC Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori; Senators Mohanmed Tahir Monguno; Mohamed Ali Ndume and Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, Speaker Borno State House of Assembly; Hon Abdulkarim Lawan; Minister of Agriculture, Hon Abubakar Kyari and Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis.
Borno Adopts Gubio as APC Consensus Governorship Candidate
News
No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta
No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old Nigerian, Mene Ogidi, reportedly shot by a police officer in Effurun, warning that the authority of law enforcement must never be abused to take lives unlawfully.
In a statement released in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, described the April 26 incident as “deeply disturbing” and a direct violation of constitutional guarantees and the rule of law.
He stressed that no citizen should lose their life at the hands of those entrusted with their protection, noting that the reported conduct of the officer involved was “condemnable, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the principles of justice and a civilized society.”
The NHRC boss raised alarm over what he termed a troubling pattern of excessive force by security personnel, urging the Nigeria Police to take immediate and decisive action to curb the trend.
He called for systemic reforms, including mandatory periodic psychological and mental fitness evaluations for officers, particularly those deployed on special assignments, to ensure they are capable of handling firearms responsibly and engaging civilians within the bounds of the law.
Ojukwu further demanded swift disciplinary measures against the officer implicated in the incident, insisting that accountability must be pursued in line with existing laws and police regulations. He also pressed for the full implementation of recommendations from past panels on police brutality, arguing that meaningful reform remains critical to preventing future abuses.
“The Commission demands immediate arrest and a transparent investigation into the incident, dismissal of the officer involved, and swift prosecution in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that justice must also include adequate compensation for the victim’s family.
He warned that delays in justice risk eroding public trust in state institutions and weakening confidence in law enforcement agencies.
Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to human rights protection, Ojukwu said the NHRC would closely monitor the case while continuing its advocacy for accountability and justice.
“Nigeria must never normalize brutality,” he said. “Justice must speak louder than silence.”
No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta
Troops Recover Rifle, Ammunition During Clearance Operation in Borno
ISWAP Reeling From Heavy Losses, Moves to Overhaul Leadership Structure — sources
Pastor Jerry Eze: EFCC’s Endorsement for Righteousness after Six-Month Probe for Money Laundering
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