Beyond Presidential Visits: Examining Federal Interventions, Humanitarian Assistance and the Rebuilding of Communities Affected by Tragedy

By Gloria Fraser, MFR

The tragedies that have befallen communities across Kaduna State remain painful chapters in Nigeria’s recent history. From the devastating military drone strike in Tudun Biri to incidents in Giwa, Kajuru and Kachia, alongside destructive floods and windstorms, innocent families have endured losses that no amount of compensation or reconstruction can entirely erase.

A message circulating ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anticipated political visit to Kaduna has revived these painful memories, questioning his absence from communities devastated by tragedy.

The anguish expressed deserves compassion and understanding. Behind every casualty figure is a family mourning a loved one or struggling to rebuild.

However, presidential absence should not be confused with governmental abandonment. The documented record demonstrates that President Tinubu responded to the Tudun Biri tragedy, delegated responsibilities to Vice President Kashim Shettima and authorised reconstruction and rehabilitation interventions.

TUDUN BIRI: PRESIDENTIAL COMPASSION TRANSLATED INTO ACTION

On December 3, 2023, a Nigerian military drone strike mistakenly targeted civilians gathered for a religious celebration in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area, killing scores of innocent Nigerians.

President Tinubu responded promptly, expressing grief, directing an investigation and ordering urgent medical attention for survivors.

On December 11, addressing the Shehu of Borno in Maiduguri, he declared:

“God Almighty comforts their families as their nation grieves their passage into glory.”

Although the President did not personally visit Tudun Biri, Vice President Shettima visited survivors in December 2023 and conveyed the administration’s commitment to rehabilitation.

President Tinubu subsequently authorised the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict, with Tudun Biri selected for its pilot implementation.

In July 2024, Vice President Shettima attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

On January 30, 2026, he commissioned 133 completed housing units, educational facilities and associated infrastructure.

These were tangible reconstruction projects undertaken following presidential intervention.

KADUNA: WE MOURNED ALONE, TINUBU IS COMING FOR CAMPAIGN?

You want to flag off your campaign in Kaduna?

Let us remind you what happened in Kaduna:

DECEMBER 3, 2023 – TUDUN BIRI

85 civilians were killed by an Army drone during the Maulud celebration.

Tinubu did NOT come.

SEPTEMBER 2024 – GIWA

24 innocent people killed in another “mistaken” airstrike.

Tinubu did NOT come.

AUGUST 2024 – KAJURU

4 killed, 3 injured, 37 abducted by bandits.

Tinubu did NOT come.

JULY 2025 – WINDSTORM

6,172 displaced, 6 dead in 5 LGAs.

Tinubu did NOT come.

SEPTEMBER 2025 – KACHIA

152 people abducted in ONE operation.

Tinubu did NOT come.

SEPTEMBER 2025 – ZARIA

476 people submerged by flood.

Tinubu did NOT come.

When we were crying,
You were not there.

When we were burying our dead,
You were not there.

When we were looking for our children,
You were not there.

BUT NOW YOU WANT TO COME TO KADUNA FOR CAMPAIGN FLAG-OFF?

What do you take us for?

Fools or Idiots?

Kaduna people, remember This
As you Remain at Home!!!

GOVERNOR UBA SANI: COMPLEMENTING FEDERAL INTERVENTIONS

Governor Uba Sani’s administration complemented the federal programme with a 25-bed healthcare centre, a six-kilometre access road, a skills acquisition centre and other community facilities.

Certificates of Occupancy and Rights of Occupancy were also presented to farmers whose lands were affected by reconstruction.

These initiatives demonstrate the importance of federal-state cooperation in restoring communities devastated by tragedy.

GIWA, KAJURU AND KACHIA: HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND SECURITY CHALLENGES

Other Kaduna communities have suffered devastating consequences from insecurity, military operational failures, kidnapping and natural disasters.

The reported September 2024 airstrike in Giwa raised serious concerns about civilian protection, while attacks in Kajuru and Kachia disrupted livelihoods and displaced families.

Federal humanitarian institutions have undertaken interventions across affected communities.

In June 2025, the National Emergency Management Agency distributed relief materials to victims of banditry across five Kaduna local government areas, including Kajuru and Igabi.

In September 2025, NEMA also distributed food assistance to victims of flooding and windstorms in Kajuru.

These interventions demonstrate continued federal humanitarian activity, although they do not establish that every victim received adequate assistance.

PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY: BEYOND PHYSICAL PRESENCE

In a constitutional democracy, executive responsibilities are exercised through the Vice President, ministers, security institutions and federal agencies.

President Tinubu’s delegation of Vice President Shettima to oversee significant stages of the Tudun Biri intervention illustrates this principle.

The President also addressed the operational failures that caused the tragedy.

Speaking to security chiefs in January 2024, he declared:

“The avoidable errors, as witnessed recently in Kaduna, are unacceptable and cannot be repeated.”

This acknowledged the seriousness of the military failure and the importance of protecting civilians.

The completion of housing and educational infrastructure in Tudun Biri provides evidence of intervention. Nevertheless, the continuing challenges of insecurity, rehabilitation and civilian protection require sustained attention.

GOVERNANCE WITH A HUMAN FACE

The Tudun Biri reconstruction programme illustrates an important dimension of people-centred governance: translating compassion into practical assistance.

President Tinubu initiated the federal reconstruction commitment, Vice President Shettima supervised important stages of implementation, and Governor Uba Sani complemented the programme through state-funded infrastructure.

In July 2024, speaking on the President’s behalf, Vice President Shettima declared:

“To those who have been displaced by conflict, I say this: We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you.”

The completed reconstruction programme provides a measurable expression of that commitment.

For affected families, however, the ultimate test remains whether assistance restores dignity, livelihoods and confidence in the future.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

As the Hausa proverb reminds us:

“Komai nisan dare, gari zai waye.”

No matter how long the night, dawn will surely break.

For Kaduna’s grieving families, the darkness of tragedy cannot be dismissed. Yet reconstruction, rehabilitation and renewed efforts to restore security offer hope that devastated communities can rebuild their lives with dignity.

THE NATIONAL PATRIOTS POSITION

The National Patriots extend their heartfelt condolences to families and communities affected by the tragedies in Tudun Biri, Giwa, Kajuru, Kachia and other parts of Kaduna State.

We recognise and commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt response to the Tudun Biri tragedy, his delegation of Vice President Kashim Shettima to convey the Federal Government’s condolences, and his administration’s commitment to reconstruction and rehabilitation.

We equally commend Governor Uba Sani for his complementary infrastructure initiatives.

These documented interventions challenge the impression created by the circulating message that Kaduna’s suffering was met with complete presidential indifference.

Although President Tinubu did not personally visit Tudun Biri, his administration’s response demonstrates that presidential responsibility can also be exercised through delegated representation, funding and practical intervention.

Such actions reflect the humanitarian dimension of governance and the importance of translating compassion into measurable results.

Nevertheless, grief cannot be erased by infrastructure alone. Families still awaiting assistance, compensation or rehabilitation deserve continued attention, while communities facing insecurity require lasting protection.

Presidential absence should not automatically be equated with governmental abandonment. Equally, government intervention must be judged by its effectiveness and the relief it brings to those affected.

The National Patriots encourage continued transparency regarding completed projects, outstanding commitments and the needs of affected families.

Kaduna’s tragedies have not been forgotten. The reconstruction undertaken in Tudun Biri is evidence of action, while the needs of other affected communities remain a continuing responsibility.

May Almighty Allah grant eternal rest to the departed, comfort their families, restore lasting peace to Kaduna State and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser MFR
The National Patriots

Principal Sources: State House, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, National Emergency Management Agency, and Kaduna State Government.