Pastor Yohanna Buru, leader and founder of Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation, today secured the release of six inmates from the Kaduna central prisons to enable them to participate in the Muslim Ramadan fasting which begins either Saturday of Sunday.
Buru was emphatic that he wanted the six released inmates to undertake the Ramadan fast with their families, saying that the month of Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims, during which they devote time and resources in the service of Allah and to pray for favours.
Buru noted that some inmates languishing in prisons across the country were not guilty of any offence but were in jail due to lapses in the nation’s judicial system, adding that such people need help regardless of their religion or political affiliation.
He said that such gesture would foster peace and unity in the country.
“The issue of religious differences between Islam and Christianity in Nigeria must be down-played to allow for unity and peace in the country.”
He promised that he would secure the release of more inmates before the Sallah period.
Buru said that the NGO would rehabilitate the inmates to reintegrate them back into the society.
An Islamic Cleric, Mallam Salisu Maibarota commended the pastor for the good gesture and called on other religious leaders to emulate him.
Maibarota urged the ex-inmates to be of good behaviour and pray for the peace of Nigeria during the Ramadan.
Ibrahim Audu, one of the freed inmates thanked the pastor and prayed God to reward him.
Audu said he was a bus conductor and was in prison for trying to assist an accident victim.
“Our car had an accident and I picked a phone of one of the victims, after two days his family called to collect the phone but said it was two phones I picked, and that was how I came to prison.”
He said he had learned much in the prisons and promised to be of good behaviour. [myad]