Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated 133 completed housing units and supporting infrastructure under the Tudun Biri Community Resettlement Scheme in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, marking a major step in the Federal Government’s response to the 2023 military drone mishap that devastated the community.
The resettlement scheme, which also includes educational facilities and other modern amenities, was inaugurated on Friday in Kaduna. Shettima described the project as a fulfilled commitment by President Bola Tinubu to restore dignity, stability, and hope to a community traumatised by tragedy.
Tudun Biri came into national focus on December 3, 2023, after a Nigerian Army drone mistakenly struck the community during an annual Maulud celebration, leading to the loss of lives and destruction of property. The incident, which occurred as residents gathered to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability and compensation.
Recalling events following the incident, Shettima noted that he had visited the affected community in December 2023 on the directive of President Tinubu, where assurances were given that a comprehensive resettlement plan would be implemented. In July 2024, he returned to Tudun Biri to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the rebuilding effort under the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC).
Speaking at the inauguration, the Vice President said the project was rooted in the belief that governance must prioritise people, heal social fractures, and reinforce national cohesion.
“Today stands as a living demonstration of that principle,” Shettima said. “The inauguration of the Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme is a testament to 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 stressed that the initiative went beyond physical structures, describing it as a statement of national responsibility and empathy.
“We are not just commissioning buildings. We are affirming our commitment to responsibility, to empathy, and to the protection of human dignity,” he said.
According to Shettima, justice in governance is often reflected in quiet but deliberate actions taken to protect the vulnerable, heal communities shattered by misfortune, and ensure that no citizen is rendered invisible by tragedy.
The Vice President said the Tudun Biri project underscored the Federal Government’s determination to respond decisively to humanitarian crises and internal displacement across the country.
“This resettlement scheme is a vehicle of hope for families whose lives were disrupted,” he said. “It is a practical assurance that the Nigerian state does not abandon its people in times of adversity. It represents a conscious shift towards solutions that restore stability, rebuild livelihoods, and create the conditions for lasting peace.”
Shettima explained that the project was implemented under RSPIC, a Federal Government initiative designed to provide long-term recovery and resettlement solutions for communities affected by conflict and humanitarian emergencies.
He added that the Tudun Biri intervention was not a one-off project, disclosing that similar resettlement and recovery programmes were ongoing in several states, including Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, and Benue.
“The message is clear,” he said. “No affected community will be left behind in our shared journey towards recovery and renewal.”
The Vice President also commended Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for what he described as a constructive partnership and inclusive approach to governance, noting that the success of such initiatives depends heavily on cooperation between different levels of government.
“The success of initiatives like this rests on collaboration, trust, and shared ownership between the Federal Government, state authorities, host communities, and development partners,” Shettima said.
In his remarks, Governor Sani expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for what he described as timely and compassionate intervention following the tragedy. He also praised Shettima’s leadership and hands-on oversight of the resettlement process.
“This project reflects a clear belief that the dignity of citizens must remain central to governance,” Sani said. “I also commend the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, whose dedication and leadership were instrumental to the success of this effort.”
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Aisha Haruna and Mr Solomon John thanked the Federal Government for fulfilling its promise to the community. They said the resettlement scheme had restored hope and provided a sense of closure after months of uncertainty and loss.
They also appealed for continued support to help residents rebuild their livelihoods and fully reintegrate into stable community life.
The inauguration of the Tudun Biri Community Resettlement Scheme adds to the Tinubu administration’s broader housing and humanitarian response agenda, as the Federal Government seeks to address the challenges of internal displacement, post-conflict recovery, and social stability across Nigeria.
