Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has criticised a proposal by a member of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, calling for the execution of repentant terrorists and other criminals instead of rehabilitating them.
Kano Times reports that Gagdi, who represents Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke Federal Constituency of Plateau State, made the call during a recent plenary session of the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker urged the Federal Government to end the rehabilitation of terrorists and other violent criminals.
“I’m urging government to stop rehabilitation and arrest of killers and criminals,” Gagdi said.
When asked what the government should do instead, he replied: “To kill them. He who kills should be killed. Anybody who kills should be killed unless it’s a motor accident. Our law is explicit.”
He added, “If you kill by coming to innocent citizens’ houses, kidnapping them, taking them into the bush and subjecting them to serious torture, before taking their lives, you don’t deserve one second of survival.”
Reacting, Gumi said executing repentant insurgents contravenes both religious and international laws.
According to the cleric, emotions should not influence decisions in war or counterterrorism operations.
“Killing repentant Insurgents and secessionists is against religious and international law. So also prisoners of war. ICC is listening if you don’t fear Allah,” Gumi said.
“Where is morality? It’s the same logic terrorists employ to kill all others besides them. Emotions don’t win a war,” he added.
Gumi’s reaction comes amid ongoing debate over Nigeria’s de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme for repentant insurgents, a policy that has continued to attract criticism from victims of insurgency and some lawmakers.
