Edo Senator Okpebholo: Death Penalty Now in Place for Kidnappers

Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, stated that kidnappers who are apprehended in the state will be executed by hanging and that he is willing to sign death warrants for convicted individuals.

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

The governor, Fred Itua, was informed of this in a statement signed by the press secretary on Friday.

He mentioned that a measure revising the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law (and Related Matters 2013) has been enacted by the Edo State House of Assembly.

He claimed that in addition to requiring the confiscation and demolition of properties used in the kidnappings, the measure stipulates that the perpetrators will be executed.

According to Governor Okpebholo, his administration would deal brutally with all criminal elements in the state and will no longer tolerate insecurity, murder, or kidnapping.

“I will firmly enforce the laws and take the problem of insecurity seriously. According to the State’s new law, we are allowed to take their grounds and demolish their properties. On such lands, we will construct offices for our vigilante team.

“In accordance with the laws already passed by the EDHA, we will bring kidnappers to the public and execute them to demonstrate our seriousness.” “I will sign it without fear,” he said.

The Governor called on all to collaborate with his administration to secure the State, saying “security is the business of all and not for security agencies alone.

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

“These people will work with security agencies, and they 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, build abattoirs for those killing cows. We want to secure the people of Edo State.”

Governor Okpebholo stated that President Bola Tinubu has been very supportive in preventing further harm from the Uromi slaughter because he loves the North.

“Those who are causing issues and destroying the land are not even Nigerians.” “The president has promised to bring peace to Nigeria, even though they are foreigners,” he disclosed.

Bawa Umar, the chairman of Arewa in Edo Central, expressed gratitude to the governor and the Onojie of Uromi for the restored peace.

He said the Arewa community will assist the governor’s administration to make sure it succeeds and that the governor is performing well in terms of state security.

Chairman of Uromi Cattle market, Isah Muhammad, thanked the Governor for the way he handled the Uromi incident which he said helped to bring down the tension in the area.

Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd), said: “I appeal to the Arewa community to ensure they have a database for all their members to be able to account for all their members. I urge the leaders to advise their members and monitor their activities to ensure they are not criminal activities.”