Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has pardoned 66 inmates serving various jail terms at the Maximum Custodial Centre (MXCC), Maiduguri.

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

Zulum announced this yesterday during a visit to the MXCC, as part of his engagements to mark this year’s Democracy Day.

“The pardoning of inmates followed the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy,” he said, stating that the state government had pledged to continue to support the pardoned inmates, including the ones still serving their jail terms with skills acquisition.

He added: “I have also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and the reduction of jail terms of some other inmates as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Democracy Day.”

Zulum also announced plans to strengthen the vocational training centre at the correctional facility by providing it with literacy, numeracy, and digital skills programmes to combat poverty and unemployment.

He, therefore, directed the Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, to liaise with the management of Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre to enhance the vocational training centre, to ensure the provision of intensive literacy, numeracy and digital skills.

Zulum also donated the sum of N15.6 million to be disbursed to the 1,280 inmates, stating that each of them will collect N20,000 to improve their living conditions at the correctional facility.

Earlier, the Controller of Borno State Correctional Service, Ahmed Bawa, commended the governor for his unprecedented support to the facility and its inmates, describing it as the first of its kind.

Zulum made an early morning visit to hospitals in Maiduguri, arriving at the State Specialist Hospital at 5:00 a.m., sympathising with patients and making cash support.

The governor donated N50,000 cash to each patient in the Gynaecology, antenatal, postnatal and gynae emergency wards.

Interacting with the patients, Zulum re-echoed his commitment towards providing improved healthcare services to the people of Borno.

He also visited the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, providing the same gestures to support the patients, and paying their medical bills.

ALSO, Zulum has said he will commission 20 road projects executed by his administration in commemoration of the 2025 Democracy Day.

The governor will also mark the commencement of two hospital projects and an international conference centre in Maiduguri and Jere Local Council areas.