Primate Ayodele Urges Immediate Execution of Convicted Terrorists, Kidnappers

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 convicted terrorists and kidnappers should face immediate execution rather than lengthy court trials.

Speaking in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric argued that swift punishment would serve as a stronger deterrent to violent crimes and help curb insecurity across the country.

According to him, the government should review its approach to prosecuting terrorism-related offences, stressing that individuals confirmed to have committed acts of terrorism or kidnapping should receive the maximum punishment without unnecessary delays.

“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.

Primate Ayodele further stated that anyone found negotiating with terrorist groups or facilitating ransom payments should also face legal consequences.

“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.

The cleric commended the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in combating insecurity, describing their operations against terrorists and criminal gangs as commendable despite prevailing challenges.

He also praised the recent directive by the Minister of Defence authorising security personnel to take decisive action against armed terrorists, describing it as a step toward restoring security.

Primate Ayodele urged President Bola Tinubu to recognise the sacrifices of security personnel by conferring national honours on soldiers and senior military officers involved in counter-terrorism operations.

According to him, such recognition would boost the morale of security operatives and encourage greater commitment in the fight against insecurity.

Nigeria has continued to battle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in several parts of the country, with security agencies intensifying operations to dismantle criminal networks.

The cleric maintained that stronger punitive measures, alongside sustained military operations and intelligence gathering, would significantly reduce terrorist activities and improve public safety across the country.