Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A prominent Ondo State-based Islamic cleric and founder of the At-Tanzil Foundation, Sheikh AbdulRauf Ajiboye Lagbaji, has issued a passionate call for governments at all levels to immediately enforce the death penalty against all convicted bandits and kidnappers. He further urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to ensure the swift execution of those found guilty of the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, which claimed dozens of lives. Lagbaji made the call on Saturday, June 27, 2026, during a lecture at the Ashura Day celebration organised by the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Ondo State chapter, held in Akure, the state capital.
Speaking on the theme, "Ashura: Navigating Peaceful Pathways Amidst Hostilities: What Are the Practical Relevance in Contemporary Nigeria?" , the cleric described the growing insecurity across the country as requiring decisive and immediate action, warning that the continued reintegration of "repentant" bandits into society only encourages further criminality and endangers innocent citizens. "It is time for our government to execute any bandit or kidnapper found guilty because the Qur'an makes it clear that whoever knowingly kills another person should also be put to death," Lagbaji declared.
The cleric specifically addressed the lingering case of the Owo church massacre, which occurred four years ago, urging the Ondo State Governor to act without further delay. "The government needs to enforce the death penalty on those involved in the Owo church attack that occurred four years ago," he said. "In Islam, Diya (blood money) for a person killed is equivalent to 100 camels, which is about N200 million per person. Therefore, our religion does not permit the pampering of anyone who kills. So, what justification does the government have for allowing those who commit such atrocities to return to society?"
Lagbaji cautioned against government policies that offer amnesty or rehabilitation to convicted criminals, arguing that such measures represent a grave security risk. "The government must not make the mistake of believing that bandits will genuinely repent and spare them. If the government does so, Allah will not spare them in the hereafter," he warned.
In a controversial extension of his remarks, the cleric appealed to legal practitioners across Nigeria to refrain from representing or serving as defence counsel for individuals accused of banditry or kidnapping. He also called for a constitutional amendment to ensure that anyone found guilty of such offences faces immediate execution, bypassing what he described as the protracted delays that often characterise the nation's judicial process.
Despite his hardline stance on criminal justice, Lagbaji urged Muslims and all Nigerians to work tirelessly for peace, stressing that the essence of Ashura lies in remaining loyal to Allah and maintaining good intentions towards others. The event also featured remarks from the Grand Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede, who called on Muslims to participate more actively in politics to secure greater representation in governance. He described Ashura as a day of fasting and devotion rather than celebration, urging Muslims to observe it with seriousness and prayers for the nation's progress.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, also expressed concern over what he described as the marginalisation of Muslims in political appointments in the state, noting that despite the sizable Muslim population, adherents of the faith remain underrepresented in key government positions. Earlier, the Chairman of MMPN in Ondo State, Mallam Jubril Bada, said the programme was organised to encourage acts of worship, charity, and peaceful coexistence ahead of future elections.
Lagbaji's call for the execution of convicted bandits and kidnappers comes amid a renewed national debate over capital punishment, following recent statements by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole endorsing the death penalty for kidnappers. It also follows a series of successful prosecutions by security agencies, including the recent sentencing of three men to death by a Sokoto High Court for terrorism-related offences. As the debate over the death penalty intensifies, Lagbaji's remarks have added a powerful religious and moral dimension to the conversation, challenging both the government and the judiciary to act decisively against those who threaten the lives and security of Nigerians.
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