Sheikh AbdulRauf Lagbaji, an Ondo-based Islamic cleric and founder of the At-Tanzil Foundation, told lawyers to stop defending bandits and kidnappers, saying such criminals “deserve no sympathy.” He spoke at an Ashura Day lecture organised by the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Ondo chapter, in Akure on Friday.
The lecture, titled “Ashura: Navigating Peaceful Pathways Amidst Hostilities: What Are the Practical Relevance in Contemporary Nigeria?”, saw Lagbaji push for tougher laws. He urged the government to amend the constitution so anyone found guilty of banditry, kidnapping or similar violent crimes faces immediate execution. He warned that mercy and reintegration risk worsening insecurity.
Lagbaji was blunt about the Owo church massacre: he said authorities should not hesitate to apply the death penalty to those convicted. “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. “The government needs to enforce the death penalty on those involved in the Owo church attack that occurred four years ago. “In Islam, Diyya (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? “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 said.
He also urged Nigerians, especially Muslims, to take Ashura’s lessons of peace, loyalty to Allah and goodwill to heart. Grand Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede, told Muslims to get into politics to boost appointments, leadership and representation.
