It has been trending since the Edo State House of Assembly approved death sentence for kidnappers and officially append his seal on the bill, it is now relatively accepted as what is imperative.
However, it is not the first to make such a drastic move. It only follows that, it is coming at a time the menace is worsening.
We learnt the death sentence followed the amendment of the 2013 Edo State kidnapping Prohibition Law which had provided for life imprisonment and confiscation of property allegedly used for kidnapping.
The House passed the death sentence during the amendment of the State Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2025.
We are aware that there is a growing concern over the raging abduction epidemic in the country, no fewer than ten states have vowed to implement the death sentence and life imprisonment for convicted kidnappers.
More states, including Kogi, Kano, Benue, Bayelsa, Enugu, Anambra, and Nasarawa and another northern state have reportedly affirmed their commitment to applying the death sentence to anyone convicted of kidnapping in their jurisdictions. It is reported many are following suit.
The nation has been on edge over the wave of abductions sweeping across several states and the Federal Capital Territory recently.
We recall that the anti-kidnapping law had been in existence since the colonial era, but it did not provide any serious punishment for kidnappers until it was amended by the Kano State Assembly.
Under the revised law, any person found guilty of kidnapping would face life imprisonment without an option of a fine.
However, Benue State announced that the former governor in 2019 approved the death penalty for anyone found guilty of kidnapping across the state.
In Bayelsa, a similar law persists. Anti-kidnapping law, which was christened ‘Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Act, 2013’, prescribed the death sentence for the offence of kidnapping.
It was assented to by former governor Seriake Dickson after it was passed by the House of Assembly.
In Nasarawa, the State Kidnapping Act Prohibition Law, 2020, stipulates the death penalty on conviction and forfeiture of any property used by kidnappers while the owner of such a property would be liable to 20 years in jail.
Governor Abdullahi Sule assented to the bill passed by the State House of Assembly back then.
Ondo state we learnt has a similar law in place. The penalty is life imprisonment.
However, in a move to reinforce the onslaught against abductions, the IG recently ordered the posting of 54 Assistant Commissioners of Police to head the Force Intelligence Departments at zonal and state command levels nationwide.
Egbetokun had in September 2023 approved the upscaling of the Force Intelligence Bureau to the Force Intelligence Department.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said the redeployment of the ACPs was to further strengthen the intelligence department of the Nigeria Police Force.
He noted that the posting was premised on the zeal of the IG to improve and enhance the effectiveness of the intelligence department at every level of the force.
In the course of discharging their duties towards strengthening the already existing intelligence architecture of the Force. the posting was with immediate effect.
We appreciate the enormous efforts across the country to stem the tide of mindless kidnappings, associated with killings and deadly assaults. The trauma besides the ransom paid is what we cannot quantify.
It is in good stead that more states are already embracing the death penalty option. As we welcome Edo State to the fold, we urge other states to embrace this option as it would enhance deterrence.
