Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT)) says: "Here is a message for mankind: that they may take warning therefrom, and may know that He is One Allah: let men of understanding take heed (Qur'an 14:52). This best describes the Nigeria security situation at hand where mind is always on the tongue and nerves frayed when listening to news on daily basis. The record of unfortunate incidence takes mosaic forms and little or nothing seems to be in sight to curb the menace. Wanton killing envelopes the polity and it leaves no boundary to religious, ethnic and cultural affiliation. The situation depicts incessant expectation of eventuality in which no one is sure of safety. Being alive, however, glory be to Allah (SWT) among other favours. May the peace and blessings be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (SAW)) and all deserving followers of his guidance till eternity.
The above Ayah (verse) bears relevantly on the irony of harmony expected in the current situation. That recent Federal Government of Nigeria recently implemented clemency and pardon for Convicts and Inmates of Correctional Centers across the federation is no news. The development generated a lot of heat and some called it political gimmick among other names. The contention remains the context in which the clemency was given.
Against this background, the noble Messenger hinted that: 'The genuine Muslim is he from whose hands others are safe, and the Migrant is he who shuns what is abhorred.' It serves well to accommodate clemency and pardon in this regard in as much as it serves the overall interest of the populace but not laden with ulterior motive. The rundown of the 175 pardoned convicts include those involved in drug peddling 29.2%, culpable homicide 13.5%, illegal mining 24%, fraud and corruption 12.3%, hijacking 5.3%, attempted robbery 2.3% and others 1.8%.
It is important to note at this juncture that if these were to be justified, justice must be restored in the country beyond the yoke of clemency in question. Some questions to be contested include but not limited to 'how many of the death sentenced offenders were executed?'. In the exact premise, if it could be juxtaposed, 'what became of Clifford Orji, the popular apprehended Cannibal of the late 1990s at Toyota axis of Oshodi Lagos State?' In fact, lots of evidences and exhibits were held against his ordeal as he was always seen in the day rolling used tyres from the Airport road to the site only to ignite heavy fire at the dusk. A complete danger zone where charred and burnt human parts were collected by security agents after his arrest!
'Refuse to be killed!', candid advice to all and sundry as it is becoming customary to commit heinous offences in impunity including wanton homicide. As if this is not enough, banditry and kidnapping had graduated to uncontrollable level to have attracted individual and corporate entities' concerted efforts expected to be taken on security of lives in the neighborhood. Each household has a duty of warning its members against unnecessary wandering and unnecessary cash-out. CDA, CDC, Local Government and native authorities should as a matter of urgency mutter security measures in the neighborhood. This is resonate from the graduation of 'kid-napping' of the old to 'adult-abduction' on one hand, and eventual killing in the case inability to pay ransom or to disregard both. Whereas, Allah (SWT) possibly open the door of clemency on mankind in view of the following four grounds. The premise include: instrumental knowledge, justice if the leaders in authority, generosity of the wealthy and prayer of the less priviledged. It is on this note that the inter-twine relationship among different people is watchful.
In Islam, however, homicide against one person is tantamount to killing of all mankind and vice versa with regard to en-living him. Against all odds, the sanctity of life is currently enjoying depletion and the society seems to have lost total control of its protection. Currently, the social media became inundated with report from Katsina State where bandits sat on the negotiation table with government officials to broker peace (https://lensafrik.com). As if that is not enough, the same worse scenario occured in Mantau Katsina State where a Bandit kingpin featured sitting comfortably in a peace meeting to forestall trouble wherein he led the gang to terrorise his town during morning prayer leading to about twenty dead and others abducted to the bush (https://lensafrik.com)
Meanwhile, that bandits had arrived in Kwara State (Oke-ode) in particular, signals the need for re-invigorating efforts on security measures. The account of a victim who alledged that some authority stilltilly collected weapons from the nightwatch with the guise of repairng same ahead of the possible bandit operation. Beating the intelligence of the nightwatch who should have give 50% of the weapons to the collector knowing fully they must stay guard in the night. The fateful night should not have caught them napkin.
Amnesty, clemency and pardon of offenders! What purpose will it serve if not put in proper perspective? An genuine extension of clemency to thousands of inmates serving jail term for offences not committed would go a long way in de-congesting the Correctional Centers thereby de-mystifying the myth of the assertion of the late former President Buhari. He once exclaimed that: 'Nigeria Prison Service is a scam!' Holding this position, he proposed a change the nomenclature of prison to 'Correctional Center'. Here we are with the administrative bottleneck. The big question is 'how correctional is our Correctional Center' till date?
To make genuine sense of the policy implementation in this regard, I. engagement of more Professional Peace Makers to work on the de-congestion of the Correctional Centers in the nation. II. Walking the talk of the policy to make the centers rather correctional than haven of breeding chronic and gallant armed robbers. III. Privatising the Correctional Centers in line with what is obtainable in Washington DC, United States of America. In fact, Correctional Centers enjoy admirable patronage for its focus for not only being school for skill acquisition but also working for pension is held in esteem. IV. Borrowing leaves from such organized clime would stem tide around punitive environs in the nation's social circle.
The issue of illegal incarceration emanating from wanton arrest and raid by security personnel should be looked into. This would be purposeful in sanitizing the sector from abuse of power leading to acute shortage of productive hands useful for economic benefits for the nation. Not only that, formulating and implementing policies is overdue, that refurbish the judicial system to prevent unnecessary adjustment of cases thereby keeping the offenders perpetually in detention. Above all, periodic re-engineering motives behind policy implementation should be given priority to give way to improved and modernized judicial system. The second part of the topic comes up next week, In Sha'a Allah. Till then, stay secured and healthy.
#Clemencyandpardon
#Banditimmunity
#Securitymeasures
DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA.©2025 https://www.slaipaclass.com
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