Victims of the Nigerian Army drone attack on Tundun Biri in Kaduna State have expressed disappointment as the promised donations, including the pledged December salaries of the 109 senators, have yet to be fulfilled.
Despite the national outrage following the incident, where scores of community members lost their lives, the pledged N109 million donation by the senators remains undelivered.
During a condolence visit in December, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin announced the senators’ intention to donate their December salaries to the victims.
However, investigations by PUNCH reveal that the vow has not been honored.
Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu attributed the delay to procedural matters, stating that the salaries would be fulfilled in January.
“Any noticeable delay in the delivery of the Senate’s pledge to the victims of the unfortunate Kaduna State incident is merely procedural.
“We pledged December monthly salaries and these would come in January. We are still in January. Whatever commitment the Senate made to the Nigerian people shall be religiously fulfilled,” he said.
Other promised donations, including N350 million in projects and N45 million to the victims from the Northern Caucus of the House of Representatives, and N180 million from the Northern States Governors Forum, have yet to be fully delivered. Some pledged donations, especially from senators, are reportedly yet to be redeemed.
Idris Dahiru, who lost 30 family members in the incident, expressed disappointment, stating, “We were informed that some of those who announced their donations publicly, on realizing that they were using the funds to rebuild Tudun Biri, declined to redeem their pledges.”
“We were informed that some of those who announced their donations publicly, on realising that they were using the funds to rebuild Tudun Biri, declined to redeem their pledges. Those in that category should come out and let the world know that they decline to redeem their pledges.
“The security situation in Tudun Biri is still a concern. We were told that a military formation would be established but that has not happened. There is still a security threat here in Tudun Biri and the earlier the government acted on the promise (military formation) the better for the community,” Dahiru added.
