Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declares death penalty for Kidnappers caught in the state. The governor emphasized his readiness to sign the death warrants of convicted criminals. Governor Okpebholo made this declaration during a stakeholders’ session at the Uromi Town Hall, where he engaged with leaders and members of the Arewa Community in Esanland.
This move comes after the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) passed a bill amending the Kidnapping Prohibition Law (and Related Matters 2013), which prescribes the death penalty for kidnappers and mandates the confiscation and demolition of properties used in committing these crimes. The governor asserted that his administration would no longer tolerate insecurity, kidnapping, and killings in the state and vowed to deal ruthlessly with all criminal elements.
“I take the issue of insecurity seriously and will not bend the rules but apply them strictly,” Okpebholo declared. “The new law permits us to demolish properties and confiscate lands used in criminal activities. We will publicly execute kidnappers as part of our zero-tolerance approach, in line with the laws passed by the EDHA. I will not hesitate to sign their death warrants.”
Okpebholo called for a united effort in securing the state, emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility, not just the duty of security agencies. He announced plans to establish well-trained and paid vigilante teams, who would work alongside security forces to combat crime effectively.
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“We will stop the practice of allowing people to wear uniforms without proper remuneration. These vigilante members will be trained to combat crime and handle criminals effectively. I will not wait for the campaign period to address your concerns. I will begin solving the problems facing our people in markets and other public spaces. It’s time to profile individuals from other states who claim to be from the North to ensure they don’t damage your reputation,” he stated.
The governor also unveiled plans to improve infrastructure for security, including building fences around markets, installing streetlights, and constructing abattoirs for cattle traders. Okpebholo assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has shown great support for peace in the region, was committed to addressing the security challenges facing Edo State.
“Those causing trouble in our land are not even from Nigeria. They are foreigners, but the president has vowed to restore peace to Nigeria,” Okpebholo revealed.
Alhaji Bawa Umar, Chairman of the Arewa in Edo Central, expressed gratitude to the governor and the Onojie of Uromi for their role in restoring peace to the region. He acknowledged the governor’s efforts in improving security and assured that the Arewa community would support his administration to ensure its success.
Alhaji Isah Muhammad, Chairman of the Uromi Cattle Market, thanked Governor Okpebholo for his swift and effective handling of the Uromi incident, which he said significantly reduced tensions in the area.
Retired General Cecil Esekhaigbe also urged the Arewa community to maintain a database of all their members to monitor their activities and prevent any criminal involvement. He called on community leaders to guide their members and prevent criminal activities from tarnishing their reputation.
