Tudun Biri: United in grief

Sometimes, it takes a monumental tragedy, colossal loss of lives and property, to rouse our common bond and shared humanity. Usually, natural disasters, accidents and wars, elicit empathies across board. In fact, the whole world stood with the United States, in the year 2011, when terrorists rammed airplanes into the World Trade Centre on September 9.

Similarly, Blacks, Caucasians and Asians, have sided with Palestinians over Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Likewise, Nigerians of every hue, political affiliations and across ethno-religious divides, are still grieving with Kaduna State. Indeed, penultimate Sunday, Tudun Biri was bombed by drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, killing over 100 people, injuring several and maiming many villagers.

Significantly, the reaction came thick and fast as the bombing was roundly condemned. However, unlike before, the culprits were contrite, the authorities showed more concern and so far, the promises seem genuine and not the usual platitudes. Indeed, Major General Valentine Okoro, General Officer Commanding 1st Mechanized Division, has owned up to the bombing on behalf of his men. Likewise, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, rushed down to the killing field, two days after the attack. Lagbaja, along with top military brass, condoled with the grieving, apologized to the people of Tudun Biri, the District Head of Rigasa and the citizens of Kaduna State, for the fatal error.

Likewise, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in far away United Arab Emirates, has condemned the attack, ordered an investigation and directed a comprehensive medical attention for the injured. Tinubu, beyond condemnation, dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Defence and Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as well as Hon Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of House Representatives, to Kaduna a condolence visit last Thursday. Indeed, Shettima and Co, including Governor Uba Sani, visited the victims at Barau Dikko Hospital. Similarly, they met with Islamic clerics, various stakeholders and senior government officials, at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, bearing messages of hope. Likewise, the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, went to Tudun Biri village, with Northern Senators in tow, to mourn with the bereaved with the Governor.

Specifically, Senator Uba Sani, Vice President Shettima and other dignitaries, beyond the visits, also made promises to the people of Tudun Biri. In particular, the Federal Government plans, in line with its Pullako Initiative, to rebuild the village, provide clinics, schools, veterinary clinics and houses for the people. Besides, the Vice President, Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, as well as General Lagbaja, gave N10 million each to cater for the injured. Similarly, Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau and Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, donated N5 million each while the former Vice President Namadi Sambo gave N2 million for the same purpose. Separately, Malam Nasir El Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor and His Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, gave N10 million each. Collectively, the 109 Senators have donated their December salaries, amounting to over N109 million, to the people of Tudun Biri.

Indeed, error attacks, friendly fires and accidental killings, according to Senator Ali Ndume, have occurred about 16 times across the country but the Tudun Biri bombing stands out. First, the Army owned up without equivocation, apologised profusely and followed up with condolence visits. Likewise, the Federal and Kaduna State Governments acted swiftly, provided medical attention to the injured and went to the crime scene, instead of issuing knee jerk press releases of ‘’regrets’’ and ‘’condemnations’’. Muslims, irrespective of sects, condemned the attack and the body of Christ, represented by the Christian Association of Nigeria, upbraided the bombing of Muslims while celebrating Eid-ul-Maulud. Specifically, in an interview with ARISE TV, Rev Joseph John Hayab, Kaduna State CAN Chairman, attributed the paradigm shift to Governor Uba Sani’s olive branch. This, according to him, has improved the security situation in the state.

May Nigerians, citizens of Kaduna State and religious bodies, build on the new found unity, brotherliness and show of affection, to open a new chapter on inter and intra religious harmony, as well as communal peace in the country. Above all, may Allah(SWT) grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.