Chief Imam Demands Death Penalty For Kidnappers Of Oyo Schoolchildren, Says Amnesty For Bandits Against Qur’anic Teachings

Ibadan,  Oyo State– The Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Dr. Yunus Teliat Olushina Ayilara II, has called on the government to execute bandits responsible for the abduction of schoolchildren and the killing of a teacher in parts of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Speaking during a Jumat (Friday) sermon in Ogbomoso, delivered in the Yoruba language, the cleric condemned the rising wave of kidnappings and killings in communities such as Yawota and Esin-Ele, insisting that those responsible should not be forgiven under any circumstance.

According to him, the perpetrators of such heinous crimes deserve death, stressing that the position aligns with his interpretation of the Holy Qur’an.

“The bandits that kidnapped our children in Yawota and Esin-Ele in Oriire should be killed when caught. The government should not try to forgive them; they should be killed because that is what the Qur’an says,” Ayilara declared.

The cleric, visibly angered by the recent incidents, particularly the killing of a Mathematics teacher, said it was unacceptable for the government to consider granting amnesty to individuals who had committed such atrocities.

“If the government arrests the kidnappers and investigations confirm that they were the ones who abducted the students, children, teachers and the principal, what the Holy Qur’an says is that you should not forgive them, but kill them immediately,” he said.

Ayilara went further to lament the loss of the slain teacher, describing him as a rare asset whose contribution to society cannot be easily replaced.

“Because someone who is wicked to the extent that he slaughtered a Mathematics teacher — how many people know Mathematics in the world?” he asked rhetorically.

He painted a vivid picture of the importance of the subject, noting that many students are unable to further their education due to their inability to pass Mathematics.

“Some people write WAEC four times and still do not get credit in Mathematics, and that is what stops them from continuing their education,” he added.

According to the Imam, the murdered teacher had opportunities to pursue more lucrative careers but chose to serve his community by educating young minds.

“We have people God has blessed with deep knowledge of Mathematics. Some of them work in highly reputable companies and earn more money. But this particular person that was slaughtered chose to serve his community in order to build the future.

“He made himself a teacher and was teaching children, yet the bandits killed him,” Ayilara lamented.

The cleric warned against any form of leniency or rehabilitation for such offenders, insisting that justice must be swift and decisive.

“So the government will arrest such people and later grant them amnesty? Whoever indulges in such acts will not see the forgiveness of God,” he said.

Ayilara questioned the logic behind forgiving individuals he described as “heartless and wicked.”

“How can you forgive someone who is heartless and wicked like soap? Forgive them as how?” he queried.

“What the Holy Qur’an says is that when you arrest them and confirm through investigation that they are the perpetrators, there is nothing else to do than to kill them.”

His remarks come amid growing concerns over insecurity in Oyo State and other parts of Nigeria, where cases of kidnapping for ransom and targeted killings have continued to raise alarm among residents.