Kaduna gifts N9.7m to 97 freed inmates

Kaduna State Government has commenced the disbursement of N100,000 each to 97 former inmates recently granted clemency by Governor Uba Sani, as part of efforts to support their reintegration into society and reduce the risk of reoffending.

The disbursement was carried out on Friday at the Kaduna Medium Security Custodial Centre, marking the final phase of the Governor’s promise to support the beneficiaries following their release on June 12 to commemorate 2026 Democracy Day.

The inmates were freed under the governor’s constitutional prerogative of mercy, with the state government also paying the fines of some of the beneficiaries to facilitate their release.

Officer in-charge of the facility, Dalhatu Ibrahim, described the intervention as a major boost to correctional rehabilitation, saying it would help the ex-inmates reintegrate into society.

“By paying the fine of the inmates and giving them financial assistance, this will encourage them to go and do what they are supposed to do. They are now set to be reintegrated into the society,” he said.

Ibrahim commended Governor Sani’s gesture, noting that it aligned with the core mandate of the correctional system.

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

Ibrahim, however, advised the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the funds by investing in small businesses that would enable them to rebuild their lives.

“We advise them to use the money as working capital to start a business or begin life afresh,” he said.

Speaking during the exercise, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol, Alhaji Mohammed Suleiman, said the payment marked the final phase of the clemency programme.

He reiterated the Governor’s warning against returning to crime, urging the beneficiaries to remain law-abiding citizens.

One of the beneficiaries, Chuks Solomon, from Ebonyi State, expressed appreciation to the governor, describing the gesture as an opportunity to start life afresh.

“We very much appreciate what he has done for us. We thank him for giving us the money because some of us will use it as capital to start a business,” he said.

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