Death sentence, new punishment for kidnappers- Gov Okpebholo

Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, has enforced a new punishment for kidnapping.  The Governor on Friday stated that any kidnapper who is caught and found guilty in the state will be hanged, adding that he is willing to sign death warrants for those convicted.

This was revealed by Okpebholo at a stakeholders’ meeting at Uromi Town Hall, where he spoke with leaders and members of the Arewa community in Esan territory.

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The Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law (and Related Matters 2013) was recently amended by a bill accepted by the Edo State House of Assembly. In addition to requiring the forfeiture and demolition of properties used in the perpetration of the crimes, the measure stipulates that kidnappers would be executed.

Speaking during the meeting, Okpebholo vowed to deal brutally with all criminal elements and underlined that his administration would no longer put up with insecurity, murders, and kidnapping in the state.

Governor Okpebholo said, “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.

“We will bring kidnappers to the public and execute them to show our seriousness according to the laws already passed by the EDHA. I will not be afraid to sign it.”

The governor urged everyone to cooperate with his government to secure the state, emphasizing that everyone, not just security agencies, had a role to provide security.

“The kind of security we want to have in the state is one where security officers are paid salaries, unlike before when people would just put on uniforms without being paid. We are going to employ vigilante teams, pay them salaries, and stop people from just putting on their uniforms.”

“These people will work with security agencies and will be trained on how to fight crimes and handle criminals. I will not wait until campaign time to solve your problems. I will start to address the problems facing our people in the market and everywhere.

“It is time to start profiling people from other states who claim to be from the North and ensure they don’t spoil your name. We will fence the market, put streetlights, and build abattoirs for those killing cows. We want to secure the people of Edo State,” Okpebholo stated.