Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised calls for the execution of repentant insurgents and secessionists, saying such actions are against both Islamic teachings and international law.
Gumi made the statement in a Facebook post on Friday, days after the Senate urged the Federal Government to end the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists and instead prosecute anyone found guilty of terrorism and other related offences.
According to the cleric, killing repentant insurgents, secessionists or prisoners of war is morally wrong and contrary to established religious principles and international legal standards. He also warned that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is monitoring such actions, urging those involved to consider both legal and spiritual consequences.
“K+lling repentant Insurgents and secessionists is against religious and international law. So also prisoners of war. ICC is listening if you don’t fear Allah. Where is morality? It’s the same logic t+rrorists employ to k+ll all others besides them. Emotions don’t win a war,” Gumi wrote.
He argued that adopting the same methods used by terrorist groups undermines morality and does not contribute to resolving the country’s security challenges.
The Senate had earlier resolved that individuals found guilty of terrorism and other organised criminal offences should be prosecuted rather than rehabilitated, maintaining that justice must be served to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
