Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Friday, stated that any kidnapper caught and convicted in the state would face the death penalty by hanging, expressing his readiness to sign the death warrants of convicts.
Okpebholo disclosed this during a stakeholders’ session at Uromi Town Hall, where he had an interactive meeting with leaders and members of the Arewa community in Esan land.
The Edo State House of Assembly recently passed a bill amending the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law (and Related Matters 2013). The bill prescribes the death penalty for kidnappers and mandates the confiscation and demolition of properties used in the commission of their crimes.
Speaking at the programme, Okpebholo emphasized that his administration would no longer tolerate insecurity, killings, and kidnappings in the state, vowing to deal ruthlessly with all criminal elements.
He 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 called on everyone to collaborate with his administration to secure the state, stating that security is the responsibility of all and not just security agencies.
“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,” he stated.
Okpebholo also noted that President Bola Tinubu loved the North and had been very supportive in ensuring that the Uromi killing did not lead to further destruction.
“Those destroying the land and causing problems are not even from Nigeria. They are foreigners, but the president has vowed to bring peace to Nigeria,” he added.
The Chairman of Arewa in Edo Central, Alhaji Bawa Umar, thanked the governor and the Onojie of Uromi for the peace that has been restored in the community.
The Chairman of the Uromi Cattle Market, Alhaji Isah Muhammad, also commended the governor for the way he handled the Uromi incident, which he said helped to reduce tension in the area.
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