How Tudun Biri was rebuilt after bombing — Uba Sani

Governor Uba Sani has praised President Bola Tinubu for selecting Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State as the first beneficiary of the Federal Government’s Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflicts.

The governor said the community was chosen following the accidental military bombing in December 2023 that claimed several innocent lives.

Speaking on Friday during the commissioning of newly built houses, a six-kilometre road, a Primary Healthcare Centre, and a Skills Acquisition Centre in Tudun Biri, Sani described the intervention as an integrated development model that goes beyond emergency relief.

According to him, the initiative demonstrates that lasting peace is achieved through development, inclusion and economic opportunity, not security measures alone.

“This initiative moved beyond temporary relief to comprehensive reconstruction, delivering modern homes supported by essential social infrastructure designed for safe and sustainable living,” he said.

Sani explained that the Kaduna State Government played a key role from the early stages of the tragedy through to the completion of the projects. Portions of farmland were repurposed for housing and public facilities, while affected farmers were consulted and supported with agricultural inputs, empowerment programmes, and alternative livelihood options.

He added that the state provided emergency medical care, psychosocial support and coordinated relief efforts immediately after the incident, while long-term recovery focused on healthcare, education, livelihoods and infrastructure.

The governor reiterated his administration’s policy against creating internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, stressing instead the importance of resettling residents within their communities to preserve social ties and restore economic life.

As part of the reconstruction, the government built and equipped a 25-bed Primary Healthcare Centre offering services such as maternal care, minor surgeries and eye treatment. A six-kilometre asphalt road linking the community to the Kaduna International Airport corridor was also completed.

Residents were prioritised in social intervention programmes, with the distribution of fertiliser, rice and maize, alongside continued psychosocial and medical support through the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency. A Skills Acquisition Centre was also established to equip youths with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, while a new primary school was built with support from the Nigerian Army and development partners.

Governor Sani commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for overseeing the implementation of the project, noting that his leadership helped translate commitments into measurable outcomes.

He also appreciated the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, and her team for effective coordination and transparent resource management.

In his remarks, Vice President Shettima described the Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme as proof of the government’s commitment to fairness and compassion.

He said the project offers hope and reassurance to families affected by the tragedy and demonstrates that the Nigerian state will not abandon its citizens in times of adversity.

Shettima disclosed that similar resettlement and recovery projects are ongoing in Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina and Benue states as part of a coordinated national response to internal displacement.

He also praised Governor Sani for fostering collaboration and inclusive governance, noting that the success of such initiatives depends on strong partnerships between federal and state authorities, host communities and development partners.