The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on the Federal Government to adopt stricter measures against terrorism and kidnapping, insisting that confirmed terrorists and kidnappers should be executed immediately instead of being prosecuted in court.
Ayodele made the call in a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, arguing that such a measure would serve as a stronger deterrent and help curb the country’s worsening insecurity.
“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,” he said.
The cleric also advocated severe sanctions against individuals involved in negotiating with kidnappers or facilitating ransom payments, including public office holders.
“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 added.
Ayodele commended the Nigerian military for its ongoing efforts in combating insecurity across the country, while praising the Minister of Defence’s shoot-at-sight directive against terrorists.
According to him, tougher security measures should have been implemented earlier to stem the activities of terrorist groups.
“The Nigerian army can do better; there are people who want to destroy the government with insecurity. Kudos to the Minister of Defence on the shoot-at-sight for terrorists; if they had done it before, terrorism would come to an end,” he stated.
He also urged President Bola Tinubu to recognise the sacrifices of military personnel by conferring national honours on deserving soldiers and senior officers.
“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,” Ayodele said.
The cleric further cautioned that inadequately funded private security organisations could pose future security risks if not properly regulated.
He also recommended strengthening community-based security by establishing operational bases for local hunters in forest areas to support efforts against criminal elements.
