The Federal Government, through the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has commissioned the Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, marking the fulfilment of a promise made to the community after it was affected by a military drone accident about two years ago. The scheme comprises 133 completed housing units, educational facilities, and other modern infrastructure aimed at restoring normal life to residents whose homes and livelihoods were disrupted by the incident.
The commissioning followed earlier commitments by the Federal Government to rebuild the community after the tragic drone misfire. In December 2023, Vice President Shettima visited victims of the incident and assured them that President Bola Tinubu had directed that a comprehensive resettlement scheme be initiated for Tudun Biri. In July 2024, the Vice President returned to the community to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the rebuilding project under the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC).
Speaking on Friday in Kaduna during the commissioning ceremony, Vice President Shettima described the Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme as another promise fulfilled by President Tinubu. According to him, the initiative reflects an agenda anchored on the belief that governance must serve the people, heal divisions, and strengthen the foundations of national stability.
“Today stands as a living demonstration of that principle. The commissioning of the Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme is an assurance of our collective belief that fairness is the glue that holds a nation together, and that compassion is not a weakness of the state, but its moral strength,” he said.
He explained that the event was not only about opening new buildings but also about reaffirming the nation’s commitment to responsibility and empathy. “We have gathered here to commission a resettlement scheme. But far more importantly, we are here to demonstrate our national commitment to responsibility, empathy, and the protection of human dignity,” the Vice President declared.
Senator Shettima noted that justice in governance is often seen in quiet but deliberate decisions taken to protect vulnerable citizens, heal communities affected by hardship, and ensure that no group is forgotten in difficult times. He said the Tudun Biri project reflected the Federal Government’s resolve to respond decisively to humanitarian crises and internal displacement across the country.
According to him, the project showed that the nation, under President Tinubu, does not abandon its people in moments of adversity. “The Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme is a vehicle for hope for families whose lives were disrupted. It is a practical assurance that the Nigerian state does not abandon its citizens in times of adversity,” he stated.
He added that the scheme represents a shift towards solutions that restore stability, rebuild livelihoods, and create conditions for lasting peace in affected communities. The Vice President explained that the project was implemented under RSPIC, which he described as a Federal Government initiative designed to deliver durable recovery and resettlement interventions in communities impacted by conflict and humanitarian challenges.
While noting that the Tudun Biri intervention was significant, Senator Shettima stressed that it was not an isolated effort. He said similar resettlement and recovery projects were ongoing across Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, and Benue States. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination not to leave any affected community behind in the country’s shared journey towards recovery and renewal.
The Vice President also commended the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, for what he described as a constructive partnership and an inclusive approach to governance. He said the success of initiatives like the Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme depended on collaboration, trust, and shared ownership among the Federal Government, state authorities, host communities, and development partners.
Earlier, Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for demonstrating compassion, leadership, and decisive intervention in addressing the plight of the Tudun Biri community. He also applauded the dedication of Vice President Shettima in overseeing the restoration of the community under the resettlement scheme for persons impacted by conflict.
“This reflects a clear belief that the dignity of citizens must be central to governance. I also commend the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, whose leadership and oversight were instrumental to the success of this effort,” the Governor said.
On her part, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, described the commissioning as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring dignity, stability, and opportunity to communities affected by humanitarian crises. She said the intervention was firmly anchored in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, which prioritises people-centred recovery, national security, and inclusive development.
“This project is being implemented under the direct oversight and coordination of the Office of the Vice President Kashim Shettima, which provided the strategic leadership, policy direction, and interagency coordination that have been critical to the successful execution of this initiative,” she said.
The NEMA Director General explained that although the original project design provided for the construction of 143 housing units, 10 units were converted into a school facility to meet the educational needs of children in the settlement. “Consequently, the site now comprises 133 completed housing units, complemented by educational facilities that invest in the future of the community,” she stated.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Aisha Haruna and Mr Solomon John thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their sustained efforts to bring relief to the people of Tudun Biri and other communities affected by humanitarian crises across the country.
