Desmond Mgboh/Kano
Kano  State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has approved the release of 294 inmates from different  correctional centres in the state in the spirit of the Sallah celebrations.
A statement signed on Sunday  by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallan Abba Anwar said the gesture was also in compliance with a presidential directive to states government to space up their correctional centres following the outbreak of COVID-19.
Ganduje broke the news of the freed inmates  during his Sallah visit to Gorondutse Custodian Centre  in state where he was received by the Comptroller of the Correctional Centre in Kano, Magaji Ahmad Abdullahi
The Governor explained  that the total number of freed inmates in the state consists of those he approved their release,  including those already released  by the state’s Chief judge and the states Grand Khadi
He revealed that in the last two months,  the state has  released a total of 603 inmates in all following the presidential directive to decongest the prisons in the wake of COVID-19.
Ganduje charged  the remaining  inmates to
 observe  COVID-19 protocol,asking  them to wash their hands with soap and running water, use sanitizers and wear their face masks.”
In his remarks , Comptroller Abdullahi commended the Governor for donating a 30 hectare piece of land to the Federal Government for the construction of a modern correctional centre.
He also appreciated the  Governor for transforming their cottage satellite centres at karaye and Farintuwa villages  to full-fledged custodian centres. End.