Twenty-one inmates of the Correctional Center, Bauchi, have regained their freedom after some development organisations facilitated their release from the facility.
The organizations, including the Heart That Truly Cares (HTTC), Rotary Club International, and Al-Wadata Lifeline Initiative, paid a N700,000 fine on behalf of the inmates.
Mrs. Josephine Ibinola, founder of the Heart That Truly Cares, said this while presenting relief items to the centre on Saturday in Bauchi.
She said the gesture was part of humanitarian service, adding that: “We came as a team because we realised the needs are enormous and it’s not something we can take all on ourselves, and that’s why we collaborated with well-meaning organisations.
“We paid a N700,000 fine for the 21 people that had been released, and we brought some other materials to make life a bit easier for the other inmates.
“We hope that they have learned their lessons while they were here, and when they go out there, they will show love,” she said.
According to Ibinola, the organisations provide over 60 percent of the inmates’ requests.
Also, Mr. Pam Dauda, President of the Rotary Club International, Bauchi Chapter, said the gesture was a follow-up to the need assessment visit at the facility.
He said that some of the inmates have been incarcerated for minor fines because they could not afford them, adding that ‘we have been able to do that for some of them”.
He said the organisations also donated towels, praying mats, copies of the Holy Bible and the Qur’an, plates, bathing soap, and feeding bowls to the inmates
This, he said, is to enable them to live a better life like others outside.
On her part, Winifred Yusuf, Executive Director of the Al-Wadata Lifeline Initiative, said the organisation donated disposable sanitary pads to female inmates.
According to her, the organisation is passionate about menstrual hygiene, especially among girls.
One of the beneficiaries, Daniel Isaac, who could not afford a N10,000 fine to free himself, lauded the gesture, adding that he learned his lessons while in captivity. (NAN)
