An Islamic cleric has rejected calls for reconciliation with bandits, kidnappers, and other violent criminals, questioned efforts to reintegrate so-called repentant bandits into society. insisting that those responsible for killing innocent Nigerians should face justice rather than forgiveness.
Addressing members during a gathering, the cleric argued that victims and their families would find it difficult to forgive those responsible for the loss of their loved ones. Someone killed my father or my relatives, and you now say he is a repentant bandit and I should forgive him. Then we meet in the mosque together? I am not ready for that.”
He said those involved in banditry, kidnapping, murder, and ransom-taking do not deserve reconciliation. Anyone that engages in banditry, kidnapping, killing, and ransom-taking should be sent back to Almighty Allah. Let Almighty Allah go and reconcile him,” he said.
called for the establishment of special courts and stricter laws to handle violent crimes, stressing that anyone found guilty of killing Nigerians should face the full weight of justice. The only thing we need is a special court with special laws. Whoever engages in the killing of Nigerians should be sent to the great beyond,” he added.
