By Obaike Ode-Ihue
President Bola Tinubu has advised the 119 suspects in the August 1 protests in Kano and Kaduna States to use the opportunity given them by his presidential pardon to become responsible citizens of the country.
This was the message passed by Vice President Kashim Shettima to the pardoned suspects while advising them to desist from acts that will lead to violence and destruction of public and private property.
He said the federal government is finding solutions to challenges confronting the nation.
The Vice President gave the charge on Tuesday during the formal handover of 112 suspects, 73 from Kano and 39 from Kaduna States, to their respective governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Seven of the pardoned suspects had earlier been granted bail, and three were released to their parents, making a total of 119.
At the brief ceremony, the Vice President, who spoke in English and Hausa languages, said despite overwhelming evidence against the suspects, including their involvement in the destruction of public and private property worth billions of naira, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered their release on humanitarian grounds, giving them another chance to become responsible citizens.
He called on the governments of Kaduna and Kano States to anchor the rehabilitation of the suspects so they can be reintegrated into the social fabric of their respective communities and society at large.
The Vice President described President Tinubu as a compassionate leader who cares for all Nigerians and is leaving no stone unturned in the bid to improve the nation’s economy.
Earlier in his presentation to the VP, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said all pardoned suspects had been medically examined and certified fit to be released to their parents/guardians.
He added that while 112 of the suspects were being presented to the VP for the formal handover to their respective state governments, seven others had earlier been released.
Earlier in his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, urged the released suspects to reflect on their actions and embrace the opportunity given to them by President Tinubu to become better and responsible citizens, maintaining that they must desist from further acts that will pit them against the laws of the land.
He pledged his administration’s commitment to partnering with relevant stakeholders to support the freed suspects in completing their education or engaging in ventures that will positively impact their lives.
For his part, the Governor of Kano State, Engr Abba Yusuf, said the release of the suspects has further demonstrated President Tinubu’s compassion for the masses. He noted that the state government does not take the gesture for granted.
He said the state government will ensure that the suspects are adequately rehabilitated and reintegrated into their respective communities.
Similarly, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, urged the pardoned suspects to embrace the opportunity to become better citizens, just as he thanked the President for forgiving them and ensuring their release to their families.
The event’s high point was the Vice President’s symbolic handover of the suspects to their respective state governors.
