Plateau Governor Pardons 130 Inmates, Commutes Four Death Sentences for Nigeria at 66
To mark Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary, Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has freed 130 prisoners and reduced the sentences of four death row inmates to life imprisonment.
The governor announced the decision on Thursday in a goodwill message to Plateau citizens and Nigerians living at home and abroad, signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Gyang Bere, on the occasion of October 1, 2026.
Mutfwang said the anniversary offered a chance for Nigerians to look back on how far the country has come since independence, to remember the sacrifices of past leaders, to recognise the difficulties the nation currently faces, to celebrate what has been achieved and to renew shared confidence in the prospect of a stronger, united and prosperous Nigeria.
He asked Nigerians to protect the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity as a way of honouring the legacy left by the founding fathers.
According to the governor, the work of building the nation has been handed down from one generation to the next, and every citizen has a part to play in creating a peaceful, stable and prosperous country.
Mutfwang restated his view that Nigeria's strength rests on the collective resolve of its people to overcome their differences and to build a country where everyone feels they belong and has room to pursue their ambitions.
He also gave recognition to President Bola Tinubu's role in keeping the country united and stable and in moving the Nigerian project forward, praising the president's sustained focus on national cohesion, peace, economic development and the shared duty of Nigerians to build a stronger nation.
The governor said his administration stays committed to building a Plateau State where citizens can chase their aspirations in conditions of peace, security, justice and inclusive development.
He praised the people of Plateau State for their resilience, patience, patriotism and the value they bring to the development of both the state and the nation, and encouraged them not to lose faith in the Nigerian project in spite of the country's challenges.
The statement explained that the governor acted under the powers given to him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and granted the pardon after consulting the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy. Four inmates who had been sentenced to death had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment.
The four whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment are Zuhumnan Musa, Jeremiah Aese, Pam Lang and Thoma Danboyi.
Those granted absolute pardon include Kamshine Gomerep, Maju Sajen, Jan Thomas, Gody Victor, Imran Maikasuwa, Biplang Emmanuel, Peace Sunday, Salisu Usman, Geoffrey John and Shwarpo Luka, among others.
On behalf of the Government and the peace-loving people of Plateau State, Governor Mutfwang wished Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora a peaceful, meaningful and memorable 66th Independence Anniversary, and urged all citizens to keep believing in Nigeria and to play their part in building a nation worthy of the sacrifices of its heroes past and the hopes of generations yet unborn.
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