The Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Dr. Yunus Teliat Olushina Ayilara II, has called on the Nigerian government to impose the death penalty on kidnappers and armed bandits responsible for the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and school administrators in parts of Oyo State, insisting that such offenders should not be forgiven under Islamic legal principles where Shariah is applied.
The eloquent Muslim scholar made the remarks during his Friday Jumat sermon delivered in Yoruba language in Ogbomoso, where he strongly condemned the increasing wave of kidnappings and violent attacks on innocent communities.
Speaking during the sermon, Dr. Ayilara said that in a society governed by Shari’ah law, anyone found guilty after proper investigation and confirmation of kidnapping and murder of innocent persons should face capital punishment as prescribed.
He argued that individuals who engage in the abduction and killing of children and teachers have committed grave offences that cannot be treated with leniency, stressing that justice in such cases must be firm and decisive.
According to him, if offenders are arrested and proven guilty after due process, the appropriate ruling in a Shariah governed state is that they should be executed by the state authority.
He further stated that if individuals prefer not to carry out such punishment personally to avoid accusations, then it remains the responsibility of the government to ensure that the law is fully enforced and that such criminals are sentenced to death in accordance with justice.
The Chief Imam maintained that neither Islam nor Christianity encourages kidnapping or violence, adding that no religion supports criminal behaviour or the shedding of innocent blood.
He called on Nigerians across all religious backgrounds to unite in the fight against insecurity, stressing that the problem should not be viewed through religious lenses but as a national security threat that requires collective action.
Dr. Ayilara also urged the public and the media not to associate terrorists and kidnappers with any religion, insisting that such individuals should be clearly identified by their actions alone and referred to as terrorists and criminals.
The respected Muslim scholar expressed deep concern over the killing of a mathematics teacher during one of the attacks, describing the incident as a painful loss to both the education sector and the community.
He said the teacher had devoted himself to educating children despite better personal opportunities elsewhere, only to be killed by kidnappers who showed no regard for human life.
His remarks come amid continued concern over insecurity, kidnappings and attacks on schools and rural communities in parts of Nigeria, with growing calls from religious leaders and citizens for stronger government intervention to protect lives and restore peace.
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