By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on the Nigerian government to adopt tougher measures against kidnappers and terrorists, including the immediate execution of suspects confirmed to be involved in such crimes.
Ayodele made the call in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, arguing that terrorists and kidnappers should not be subjected to prolonged court proceedings if their involvement in the crimes has been established.
He said imposing immediate death sentences on confirmed terrorists and kidnappers would help curb insecurity across the country.
“There should be no court for kidnappers and terrorists; once they have been arrested and confirmed as terrorists, they should be killed immediately. There is no need charging them to court because they won’t get the deserved punishment.
“Such crimes should attract the immediate death penalty, and those talking to them and paying ransom should also be arrested; this is how terrorism can end,” he said.
The cleric also called for the arrest of individuals who negotiate with terrorists or pay ransom to them, including public officials who facilitate ransom payments to secure the release of victims.
Ayodele commended the Nigerian military for its efforts in combating terrorism, particularly the Minister of Defence’s reported shoot-at-sight directive against terrorists.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to honour soldiers and senior military officers involved in counterterrorism operations with national awards in recognition of their service.
The cleric further warned against the proliferation of privately established security outfits, arguing that poorly funded or inadequately supervised groups could become security threats themselves.
He suggested that local hunters should instead be properly trained, integrated and provided with operational bases to support efforts against terrorists operating in remote areas.
“I urge President Tinubu to give national honours to our soldiers and top officers. They have done very well and should be appreciated for their good jobs.
“If there are too many personal security agencies and not adequately funded, they can amount to terrorists. Transform local hunters and let them have their bases inside bushes,” he said.
