Kaduna state donates N9.7 million to 97 recently released prisoners

The Kaduna State Government has initiated the distribution of N100,000 to each of the 97 former inmates who were recently granted clemency by Governor Uba Sani, in a bid to facilitate their reintegration into society and minimize the likelihood of reoffending.

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This disbursement, which took place on Friday at the Kaduna Medium Security Custodial Centre, marks the culmination of the Governor's pledge to support the beneficiaries, following their release on June 12 to commemorate 2026 Democracy Day.

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The inmates were freed pursuant to the governor's constitutional prerogative of mercy, with the state government also shouldering the fines of some beneficiaries to expedite their release.

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Officer in-charge of the facility, Dalhatu Ibrahim, hailed the intervention as a significant catalyst for correctional rehabilitation, stating that it would enable the ex-inmates to reintegrate into society.

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“By paying the fine of the inmates and providing them with financial assistance, this will encourage them to pursue their intended goals, and they are now poised to be reintegrated into society,” he remarked.

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Ibrahim lauded Governor Sani's gesture, noting that it aligns with the core mandate of the correctional system, which is to achieve reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of ex-inmates.

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“The governor’s gesture will help us in achieving the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the ex-inmates,” he added, emphasizing the significance of the intervention.

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Ibrahim advised the beneficiaries to utilize the funds judiciously by investing in small businesses that would enable them to rebuild their lives, saying “We advise them to use the money as working capital to start a business or begin life afresh”.

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During the exercise, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol, Alhaji Mohammed Suleiman, stated that the payment marked the final phase of the clemency programme, reiterating the Governor's warning against reverting to crime.

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He urged the beneficiaries to remain law-abiding citizens, underscoring the importance of their newfound freedom.

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One of the beneficiaries, Chuks Solomon, from Ebonyi State, expressed gratitude to the governor, describing the gesture as an opportunity to start life anew, saying “We very much appreciate what he has done for us”.

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Solomon further stated, “We thank him for giving us the money because some of us will use it as capital to start a business”.

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Another beneficiary, Abubakar Umar, who spoke in Hausa, also commended the intervention, describing it as a source of renewed hope for the former inmates.