As part of activities marking the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has granted state and conditional pardons to 66 inmates serving various sentences at the Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre.
Governor Zulum made the announcement on Thursday during an official visit to the correctional facility.
The governor also announced the commutation of some death sentences to life imprisonment and reductions in the jail terms of several other inmates, in line with recommendations from the state’s Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
“By the powers vested in me under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and acting on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, I hereby approve the release and partial pardon of 66 inmates,” Zulum declared.
He further revealed plans to strengthen rehabilitation efforts within the facility by upgrading the vocational training centre.
This initiative, he said, will provide inmates with educational opportunities and practical skills in literacy, numeracy, and digital technology.
“I’ve directed the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation to work closely with the management of this facility to upgrade the vocational training centre and implement intensive programmes that will equip inmates with skills they can rely on after their release,” he added.
In a show of further goodwill, the governor donated 300 bags of rice, 50 jerrycans of cooking oil, and five cows to the centre.
Each of the 1,280 inmates also received a cash gift of ₦20,000, which will be held in trust by the correctional authorities for their use as needed.
“It’s important to clarify that the ₦20,000 will be managed by officials in line with prison regulations, but will remain available to each inmate as required,” Zulum noted.
He also encouraged the inmates to embrace positive behaviour and avoid activities that could threaten peace and security in the state.
The Controller of the Borno State Correctional Service, Ahmed Bawa, lauded Governor Zulum for what he described as unprecedented support for the facility.
He recalled that in May, the governor had also donated 100 bags of rice, 20 cartons of oil, and 10 bulls to the centre.
“This is the first time we are witnessing such consistent and generous support from a sitting governor. On behalf of the management, staff, and inmates, we express our deep appreciation,” Bawa said.
Speaking on behalf of the inmates, the Sarki (leader) of the inmates, Daniel Simon, thanked Governor Zulum for extending the benefits of good governance to those behind bars, saying the gesture had given them renewed hope.