After 29 Years Behind Bars, Man Appointed Special Adviser

A 65-year-old man, Malam Usman Inuwa, has been appointed as a special assistant to Hon. Ijabani Ijahu, the senior special assistant (SSA) to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on Media and Content Creation.
The appointment came barely 72 hours after his release from prison, where he had spent 29 years behind bars.

Malam Inuwa, an indigene of Duhu community in Madagali local government area, was 36 years old when he was incarcerated.

His new role, which comes with a monthly allowance of N20,000, is set to run for a period of 20 months, beginning this month.

Speaking on the development, Hon. Ijahu said the appointment was meant to assist Malam Inuwa in reintegrating into society after nearly three decades of confinement. He clarified that the gesture was not intended to encourage criminal behaviour among youths but to recognise Inuwa’s personal transformation and need for rehabilitation.

Ijahu expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for granting executive pardon to Malam Inuwa and five others, noting that the administration has consistently supported the reintegration of pardoned inmates since taking office in 2019.

He emphasised that the state’s improved security and peace have been the result of deliberate policies aimed at dismantling criminal groups such as the “Shilla Boys.”

The governor’s aide appealed to Malam Inuwa’s family and community to accept and support him as he rebuilds his life, assuring that his long years in prison had brought about deep personal reformation.
In his remarks, Malam Inuwa expressed profound gratitude to Governor Fintiri and Hon. Ijahu for the rare opportunity, describing his freedom and appointment as “a second chance at life.” He admitted that he once believed he would die in prison but now feels renewed hope.

He pledged to live as a law-abiding citizen and urged Nigerian youths to stay away from crime, emphasising that “no benefit comes from wrongdoing.”