By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
A non-governmental organisation, Gidan Alheri/Dangin Juna Africa, has facilitated the release of four inmates from the Gombe State Correctional Centre after paying fines and compensation imposed on them by the courts.
The beneficiaries, comprising three young men and one woman, had remained in custody despite being convicted of minor offences because they could not afford the financial penalties ordered by the courts.
The inmates regained their freedom during a visit by officials of the organisation to the correctional facility, led by its Chairman, Hon. Sagir A.A. Haruna, alongside members of the group, including Barrister Abubakar Haruna Anatare.
Speaking during the visit, the Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of the facility, DCC Victor Odafen, commended the organisation for the intervention, describing it as a timely gesture that would help reduce congestion at the centre.
Odafen disclosed that the correctional facility, which was built to accommodate 399 inmates, currently houses over 1,000 persons, underscoring the need for more support from philanthropists, individuals and charitable organisations.
Chairman of the organisation, Hon. Sagir A.A. Haruna, said supporting vulnerable and indigent persons remains one of the core objectives of Gidan Alheri/Dangin Juna Africa.
According to him, the organisation is committed to providing assistance to the less privileged and restoring hope to disadvantaged members of society through humanitarian interventions.
In addition to securing the release of the inmates, a member of the organisation, Hauwa’u Abdulmumini, popularly known as Hasken Matan Gona, donated clothing materials and start-up capital to the freed woman to enable her establish a small business and become self-reliant.
The beneficiaries, whose identities were withheld, expressed gratitude to the organisation for the gesture and prayed for divine blessings upon its members for their generosity and dedication to humanitarian
