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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
Nigeria Woos Diaspora Investors in Silicon Valley, Says “Ready for Business”
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has intensified its push to attract diaspora-driven investments, with the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, declaring that the country is fully open and prepared for business.
Speaking in Silicon Valley, California, at a high-level pre-event dinner ahead of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2026 (ADIS26), Dabiri-Erewa assured global investors—particularly Nigerians in the diaspora—that Nigeria offers vast and untapped investment opportunities across sectors.
The event, hosted at Santa Clara University, brought together top African and global stakeholders under the theme: “Bridging Africa & Silicon Valley: Shaping the Future of Innovation, Investment, and Inclusive Growth.”
Dabiri-Erewa said Nigeria is deliberately positioning its diaspora as a strategic economic force, leveraging their expertise, capital, and global networks to accelerate national development.
She highlighted ongoing reforms and investment-friendly policies under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the government is creating an enabling environment for diaspora participation in critical sectors, including technology, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship.
According to her, the focus is shifting from remittances to structured, long-term investments capable of driving sustainable economic growth and innovation.
“The Nigerian diaspora remains one of our strongest assets,” she said, stressing that deeper engagement would unlock transformative opportunities for both the country and its global citizens.
The NIDCOM boss also commended Almaz Negash, founder of the African Diaspora Network, for convening the platform and fostering cross-continental partnerships.
Beyond the dinner, Dabiri-Erewa held a working session with Nigerian professionals in the United States, many of whom expressed readiness to collaborate with NIDCOM on initiatives aimed at national development.
The engagements attracted a diverse mix of African and American leaders, innovators, investors, and policymakers, reinforcing a growing consensus on the need to build stronger bridges between Africa and the global technology ecosystem.
The gathering underscored a shared commitment to moving beyond traditional remittance flows toward impactful investments that can shape Africa’s economic future.
Nigeria Woos Diaspora Investors in Silicon Valley, Says “Ready for Business”
Zulum Cracks Down on Insurgent Support Networks, Backs Airstrikes on ‘Notorious’ Border Market
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has issued a stern warning to residents against aiding or providing any form of support to Boko Haram, as intensified military operations target suspected logistics hubs in the North-East.
The warning comes in the wake of recent air operations by the Operation Hadin Kai, which struck the Jilli general area in Gubio Local Government Area on April 11, 2026.
Jilli, a border community linking Borno and Yobe states, has come under scrutiny as a suspected conduit for insurgent activities. According to the governor, the Jilli market—alongside the nearby Gazabure market—had been officially shut down by the state government five years ago due to security concerns.
“I have been properly briefed on the airstrike carried out on Jilli market,” Zulum said, describing the location as a “notorious hub” allegedly exploited by insurgents and their supply chains.
He revealed ongoing high-level consultations with the Yobe State Government and military leadership, underscoring a coordinated regional approach to tackling insurgency and preventing the resurgence of rebel strongholds along state borders.
Zulum emphasized that any decision to reopen markets or resettle communities in conflict-affected zones is taken only after thorough security assessments and in collaboration with the military and other agencies.
Reaffirming his administration’s stance, the governor said protecting civilians remains paramount, while also stressing that individuals found aiding insurgents—whether through shelter, information, or logistics—would face serious consequences.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security forces by sharing credible intelligence, noting that community cooperation is critical to dismantling insurgent networks and restoring lasting peace in the region.
Zulum Cracks Down on Insurgent Support Networks, Backs Airstrikes on ‘Notorious’ Border Market
Zagazola checks: recycled 2014, 2017, 2018 images used to misrepresent Jilli airstrikes
Zagazola Makama Checks has uncovered that images circulating in sections of the media, purportedly showing the aftermath of recent military airstrikes in Jilli, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno, are false and misleading.
Findings indicate that the photos being widely shared are not from the April 11, 2026 operation but are recycled images from 2014, 2017 and 2018 during earlier phases of the insurgency.
The use of such outdated visuals has contributed to the spread of misinformation, particularly claims alleging civilian casualties in the Jilli strikes.
“These photos being circulated are fake. They are old images from 2014, 2017 and 2018 being repurposed to mislead the public and distort the reality of the operation,” Military said.
Zagazola report that no media been able to visit the scene of the attacks as Jilli remains a long-established insurgent enclave, widely regarded as a “no man’s land” with no legitimate civilian presence, and primarily used by terrorist groups for logistics and coordination.
They warned that the use of misleading visuals risks inflaming public sentiment and undermining confidence in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
Zagazola checks: recycled 2014, 2017, 2018 images used to misrepresent Jilli airstrikes
Nigeria Woos Diaspora Investors in Silicon Valley, Says “Ready for Business”
Zulum Cracks Down on Insurgent Support Networks, Backs Airstrikes on ‘Notorious’ Border Market
Zagazola checks: recycled 2014, 2017, 2018 images used to misrepresent Jilli airstrikes
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