Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has opposed calls for the execution of repentant insurgents and secessionists, arguing that such measures violate both religious teachings and international law.
Gumi made the comments in a Facebook post on Friday, following the Senate’s resolution urging the Federal Government to stop rehabilitating repentant terrorists and instead prosecute those found guilty of terrorism and other related crimes.
The cleric said executing repentant insurgents, secessionists, or prisoners of war is morally unacceptable and runs contrary to established religious and international legal standards.
He further cautioned that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is monitoring such developments, urging those advocating such actions to reflect on both legal and spiritual implications.
According to Gumi, adopting the same tactics used by terrorist groups by killing perceived opponents weakens the moral basis of the fight against insecurity and does not help achieve victory.
He stressed that decisions on national security should not be driven by emotion.
“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. Where is morality? It’s the same logic terrorists employ to kill all others besides them. Emotions don’t win a war.”
The Senate had on Tuesday resolved during plenary that individuals convicted of terrorism and other organised criminal offences should face immediate prosecution rather than rehabilitation, insisting that justice must be served to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The resolution formed part of the upper chamber’s response to the country’s worsening security challenges.
