Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Thursday granted pardon to five prisoners awaiting execution as an exercise of his executive powers to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day celebrations.
The governor also pardoned six other prisoners, who were serving various jail terms at the Kaduna Convict prison.
Speaking at the Independence Anniversary parade held at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in the state capital, El-Rufai said he pardoned the prisoners based on recommendations from the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, and also based on their good behaviour, while others were released due to ill health.
He advise the pardoned prisoners to be of good behaviour as they re-integrate into the society, warning that government will not tolerate any form of crime and threats to security in the state.
Governor El-Rufai urged Nigerians to always support the present administration at both the state and federal levels and to also pray for those who were staking their lives for the unity and progress of the country.
He also noted that the provision of free basic education and reviving the sector will be one of the priorities of his administration in its four-year term.
The 55th Independence Day celebration witnessed the presence of traditional rulers, religious leaders and heads of security agencies in the state.
For over four years, Kaduna has not marked previous Independence Anniversaries due to the Boko Haram security challenge.
