Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has granted state and partial pardons to 66 inmates serving various jail terms at the Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre.

The governor also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced the jail terms of several others.

Mr Zulum made the announcement on Thursday during a visit to the custodial centre as part of activities marking the 2025 Democracy Day celebration.

He said the decision followed recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, in line with Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He said, “Based on the powers conferred on me and the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, I hereby grant state and partial pardons to 66 inmates of the Maximum Custodial Centre. I have also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced the jail terms of some other inmates as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Democracy Day.’’

Mr Zulum also announced plans to strengthen the vocational training centre in the facility, to provide inmates with intensive literacy, numeracy and digital skills programmes.

“I have directed the commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation to liaise with the management of the centre to enhance vocational training opportunities for inmates,” he said.

The governor also donated 300 bags of rice, 50 jerry cans of cooking oil, five cows and cash assistance of N20,000 to each of the 1,280 inmates in the facility.

He explained that the cash would be kept in custody of the correctional centre’s management, in line with procedures.

“Let me clarify that the N20,000 cash assistance will be handed over to officials of the Correctional Centre, as stipulated by law, but you will have access to it whenever needed,” the governor said.

Mr Zulum advised the inmates to maintain good conduct and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and development of the state.

In his remarks, Controller of the Borno State Correctional Service, Ahmed Bawa, described the governor’s intervention as historic and unprecedented.

“This is the first time in history that we have received such immense support from the Borno State Government under the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum,” he said.

Mr Bawa recalled that in May, the governor donated 100 bags of rice, 20 cartons of cooking oil and 10 bulls to the custodial centre.

Speaking on behalf of the inmates, Daniel Simon, thanked the governor for his magnanimity, noting that the dividends of good governance under Zulum were being felt even by those behind bars

.(NAN)