By Our Reporter.
Prominent public affairs analyst, Mahdi Shehu, has strongly criticised the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over its opposition to the death penalty for terrorists and kidnappers, accusing the administration of yielding to foreign influence, particularly from the United States.
In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Monday, Shehu said the government’s stance sends a troubling message at a time when Nigeria is grappling with worsening insecurity, mass killings and rampant abductions across the country.
According to him, the rejection of capital punishment for terrorism and kidnapping suggests that Nigeria’s internal security policies are being shaped by external interests rather than the realities on ground.
“When a government openly opposes the death penalty for terrorists and kidnappers, it clearly shows that foreign interests are dictating our national security decisions,” Shehu said.
He argued that there is no moral or logical justification for sparing the lives of individuals whose activities revolve around violence, intimidation and the killing of innocent citizens.
“No reasonable argument can convince Nigerians that people whose main occupation is terrorising and killing fellow citizens deserve mercy,” he stated.
Shehu further warned members of the National Assembly against supporting any legislative move to abolish the death penalty for terrorism and banditry, stressing that such decisions could have personal consequences.
“Lawmakers who accept this reasoning—whether due to inducement or intimidation—should remember that their families or loved ones could one day fall victim to these criminals,” he warned. “And when that happens, they may be forced to watch helplessly as the perpetrators walk free.”
He also described as hypocritical the opposition of the United States to the death penalty in Nigeria, noting that several U.S. states still carry out executions for serious crimes.
“It is ironic that America opposes capital punishment in Nigeria while practising it within its own borders for similar or even lesser offences,” he said.
Shehu went further to allege that some foreign powers may prefer Nigeria to remain unstable for economic and strategic reasons, claiming insecurity could expose the country to exploitation.
“They want Nigeria to descend into chaos like Sudan, so they can exploit our vast rare earth mineral resources,” he alleged. “Such evil intentions must be rejected.”
He called on lawmakers to prioritise national security over external pressure.
“They must be vigilant and put Nigeria first,” he urged
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