Data Breakdown: Drugs, Illegal Mining Top Offences of Nigerians Granted Presidential Pardon — StatiSense
By Queen Madaki | The Bureau News
Fresh data released by analytics firm StatiSense has revealed that nearly one-third of Nigerians who benefited from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s October 2025 presidential pardon were convicted for drug-related offences, while unlawful mining ranked second on the list.
Drugs and Unlawful Mining Lead Pardon Categories
According to StatiSense, which published the breakdown on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, 29.2% of all pardoned individuals were convicted for drug-related offences, making it the single largest category. This was followed by unlawful mining (24.0%) — reflecting Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with illegal resource extraction.
The data, which analyzed offences of those granted clemency in October 2025, was obtained by The Bureau News from StatiSense’s verified social media page.
Other Offences: Homicide, Fraud, and Robbery
The third and fourth most common offences among the pardoned individuals were homicide (13.5%) and fraud/corruption (12.3%), respectively. Other offences included hijacking (5.8%), firearms possession (2.3%), robbery/theft (2.3%), kidnapping (1.8%), and human trafficking (1.8%). The remaining 5.8% fell under miscellaneous or unspecified crimes.
Analysts say the figures highlight the breadth of criminal cases addressed under the October 2025 clemency exercise, which saw the release or sentence reduction of 175 individuals, including several high-profile names.
Background: Presidential Clemency List
The development follows President Tinubu’s sweeping decision to approve the release of inmates and grant posthumous pardons to notable Nigerians — including Major General Mamman Vatsa, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Herbert Macaulay — after recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM).
While the move has been praised for its humanitarian intent, critics argue that granting pardons to individuals convicted of serious offences such as drug trafficking, illegal mining, and corruption raises concerns about accountability and deterrence.
Observers also note that the high proportion of drug and mining offences underscores the need for stronger regulatory and rehabilitation frameworks to address root causes rather than rely on periodic amnesty.
Data Summary — Presidential Pardon, October 2025
| Offence Type | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Drugs | 29.2% |
| Unlawful Mining | 24.0% |
| Homicide | 13.5% |
| Fraud / Corruption | 12.3% |
| Hijacking | 5.8% |
| Firearms Possession | 2.3% |
| Robbery / Theft | 2.3% |
| Kidnapping | 1.8% |
| Human Trafficking | 1.8% |
| Others | 5.8% |
— Data Source: StatiSense via X (formerly Twitter) | The Bureau News | Nigeria News Today
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