Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has released 80 prisoners from the state’s various prisons.
In order to allow the prisoners to reunite with their families, the governor also approved the immediate payment of their fines.
According to a statement made on Monday in Minna by Alhaji Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government, the gesture was made to commemorate 2023 Democracy Day.
He clarified that the prisoners’ release was consistent with the governor’s constitutionally granted right to mercy.
Usman stated that the 80 inmates should be released due to their advanced age, poor health, and good behaviour, as recommended by the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
Usman urged the prisoners to take advantage of the chance to work on worthwhile projects and avoid doing anything that might land them in jail again.
He also advised them to follow the law and carry out righteous activities by utilising a variety of empowerment windows.
The SSG urged the state’s citizens to use the time to consider how they can help to promote good governance and peace-building.
He also exhorted them to support the administration’s programmes and policies that are intended to speed up the state’s development.
Usman reassured that the government would make sure that democracy’s benefits were felt in all of the state’s corners.
He urged the state’s citizens to maintain their resolve to strengthen democratic institutions and foster tolerance, patriotism, and discipline, adding that they shouldn’t let despair take the place of hope.
The SSG stated that the state’s security challenges were of great concern to the government, which was fully prepared to address them.
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