A 65-year-old man, Malam Usman Inuwa, has been named a special adviser just three days after regaining freedom from prison, where he spent nearly three decades.
Inuwa, a native of Duhu community in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was 36 when he was incarcerated. His appointment is to serve as special assistant to Hon. Ijabani Ijahu, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on Media and Content Creation. The role comes with a monthly stipend of ₦20,000 and will run for 20 months, beginning this October.
Announcing the appointment, Hon. Ijahu said it was intended to help Inuwa reintegrate into society after 29 years behind bars. He clarified that the decision was not aimed at celebrating crime but at recognising Inuwa’s personal transformation and supporting his rehabilitation.
ALSO READ: Jandor to Jonathan: Stay retired, Tinubu will show you pepper for 2027
Ijahu praised Governor Fintiri for granting executive pardon to Inuwa and five others, stressing that since 2019, the administration has remained committed to reintegrating pardoned inmates. He also credited Adamawa’s improved peace and security to deliberate government actions that dismantled notorious groups such as the “Shilla Boys.”
Calling on Inuwa’s family and community to stand by him, Ijahu assured that the former inmate had undergone deep reform during his long incarceration.
Inuwa, overwhelmed with gratitude, described his freedom and new role as “a second chance at life.”
“I once believed I would die in prison, but today I feel renewed hope. I pledge to live as a law-abiding citizen and urge Nigerian youths to shun crime because no benefit comes from wrongdoing,” he said.