23rd December 2025
Sunday Jackson, an Adamawa farmer who was on death row for killing a herdsman in self-defense, has been freed from prison after Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri exercised his prerogative of mercy.
Jackson had been sentenced to death by the Supreme Court, sparking widespread outrage and calls for clemency.
The incident occurred in 2015 when Jackson was attacked on his farm by Buba Bawuro, a Fulani herdsman, who stabbed him multiple times. Jackson fought back, seizing the knife and fatally stabbing Bawuro.
The accused had spent over a decade in custody, with many arguing his actions were justified as self-defense.
The decision to grant Jackson clemency was supported by the victim’s father, Ardo Bawuro, who pleaded for mercy, stating his son wouldn’t come back to life.
Human rights groups and activists had also campaigned for Jackson’s release, citing miscarriage of justice.
