By Abdul Lauya
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has granted state and partial pardons to 66 inmates at the Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre.
The governor also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced jail terms for other inmates.
The announcement was made on Thursday during his visit to the facility as part of the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations.
Zulum said the decision was based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
He invoked Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution to exercise his powers of clemency.
As part of his visit, the governor pledged to continue supporting inmates in their rehabilitation efforts.
He directed the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation to collaborate with the custodial centre.
The aim, he said, is to enhance vocational training, and provide inmates with literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.
Zulum also donated 300 bags of rice, 50 jerrycans of cooking oil, and five cows to the facility.
Each of the 1,280 inmates received a cash gift of N20,000 to improve their living conditions.
The governor clarified that the cash would be held by correctional officials in line with legal procedures.
He urged the inmates to maintain discipline and avoid activities that could threaten the state’s peace and development.
Borno State Controller of Corrections, Ahmed Bawa, thanked the governor for what he described as historic support.
He recalled that Zulum had also donated food and livestock to the centre earlier in May 2025.
Daniel Simon, leader of the inmates, expressed gratitude on behalf of the prisoners for the governor’s compassion.
He said the correctional centre now feels the impact of good governance under Zulum’s leadership.
