In the Spirit of Good Friday, the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza, has secured the release of 29 inmates of the Jimeta Prison in Adamawa State who were handed down sentences for various offences but could not pay their fines ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 Naira.
The Bishop, in company of his legal team and other officials of the Church was received by the Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Abu Sani, the Officer in Charge of Jimeta Prisons in Adamawa state.
In his address to those fortunate to be released, Bishop Mamza said that the gesture was in conformity with the declaration of Pope Francis that this year is a year of Mercy.
He appealed to them to go and sin no more.
Also in the spirit of the Good Friday, the Catholic Bishop donated food items to the inmates of the Prison, which according to him is to identify with them during this Easter season marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
Food items donated include rice, soap, vegetable oil and spaghetti.
DCP Abu Sani, who received the items on behalf of the inmates, gave the assurance that the items will be used judiciously and not diverted.
DCP. Abu Sani, the officer in charge of the Jimeta Prison, in his remark also thanked the Catholic Bishop for the visit and assistance.
He however noted that the Prison facility has been overstretched due to the number of inmates in there custody, emphasizing that they are supposed to accommodate 300 inmates but now have over 700 inmates in their custody.
This, according to him, is as a result of the damage to Prisons facilities in areas affected by insurgency.
It was excitement galore for those released as they stepped out of the Prison gate into freedom. Some of them expressed their feelings for being free men once again.
They were later convened to the Catholic Church where they will be receiving transport fares to their individual destinations, free at last.