Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to kidnappers, declaring that anyone found guilty of the crime will face the death penalty by hanging.
He affirmed his commitment to signing execution warrants without hesitation.
This declaration was made during a stakeholder engagement held at Uromi Town Hall, where the governor met with leaders and members of the Arewa community residing in Esan land.
The announcement was detailed in a statement released on Friday by the governor’s Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
Okpebholo highlighted that the Edo State House of Assembly had approved an amendment to the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law (and Related Matters 2013), which now mandates the death penalty for kidnappers.
The legislation also authorizes the government to seize and demolish properties connected to kidnapping activities.
The governor made it clear that his administration has zero tolerance for criminal activities such as kidnapping and killings, stressing his resolve to deal decisively with all criminal elements in the state.
“I take the issue of insecurity seriously and will not bend the rules but apply them strictly. The new law in the State permits us to demolish their properties and confiscate their lands. We will build vigilante team offices on those lands,” he said.
He further declared, “We will bring kidnappers to the public and execute them to show our seriousness according to the laws already passed by the Edo State House of Assembly. I will not be afraid to sign it.”
Okpebholo also appealed for collective action in the fight against insecurity, emphasizing that safeguarding the state is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the efforts of security operatives.
