Be responsible citizens, Tinubu tells pardoned minors

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday charged the 119 suspects in the August 1 protests in Kano and Kaduna States to use the opportunity given them by his presidential pardon to become responsible citizens of the country.

Vice President Kashim Shettima passed the charge to the pardoned suspects, just as he advised them to desist from acts that lead to violence and destruction of public and private property.

He said the federal government is finding solutions to challenges confronting the nation.

Vice President Shettima spoke during the formal handover of 112 suspects, 73 from Kano and 39 from Kaduna States, to their respective governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Seven of the pardoned suspects had earlier been granted bail, and three were released to their parents, making a total of 119.

At the brief ceremony, the Vice President, who spoke in English and Hausa languages, said despite overwhelming evidence against the suspects, including their involvement in the destruction of public and private property worth billions of naira, President Tinubu ordered their release on humanitarian grounds, giving them another chance to become responsible citizens.

He called on the governments of Kaduna and Kano States to anchor the rehabilitation of the suspects so that they can be reintegrated into the social fabric of their respective communities and society at large.

The Vice President described President Tinubu as a compassionate leader who cares for all Nigerians and is leaving no stone unturned in the bid to improve the nation’s economy.

Earlier in his presentation, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said all pardoned suspects had been medically examined and certified fit to be released to their parents/guardians.

He added that while 112 of the suspects were presented to the Vicr President for the formal handover to their respective state governments, seven others had earlier been released.

Earlier in his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, urged the released suspects to reflect on their actions and embrace the opportunity given to them by President Tinubu to become better and responsible citizens, maintaining that they must desist from further acts that will pit them against the laws of the land.

He pledged his administration’s commitment to partnering with relevant stakeholders to support the freed suspects in completing their education or engaging in ventures that will positively impact their lives.

For his part, the Governor of Kano State, Engr Abba Yusuf, said the release of the suspects has further demonstrated President Tinubu’s compassion for the masses. He noted that the state government does not take the gesture for granted.

He said the state government will ensure that the suspects are adequately rehabilitated and reintegrated into their respective communities.

Similarly, the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Jibrin Barau, urged the pardoned suspects to embrace the opportunity to become better citizens, just as he thanked the President for forgiving them and ensuring their release to their families.

The event’s high point was the Vice President’s symbolic handover of the suspects to their respective state governors.

The event was also attended by the Minister of Environment, Engr Balarabe Lawal; Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Yusuf Sununu; and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abubakar Bichi.