Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed that anyone caught for kidnapping in the state will face the death penalty by public execution under the new law recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ session with leaders and members of the Arewa community at the Uromi Town Hall in Esan land, the governor made it clear that his administration would not tolerate any form of criminality, especially kidnapping.
According to a statement signed by the governor’s Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo emphasised that the Edo State House of Assembly had passed a bill amending the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law (and Related Matters) 2013.
The amendment prescribes the death penalty for kidnappers and mandates the demolition and confiscation of properties used in the commission of kidnapping-related crimes.
“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,” he declared.
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Governor Okpebholo stressed the need for collective responsibility in tackling insecurity, urging residents to work hand in hand with the government.
“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 when people would 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,” he said
He noted that the recruited vigilantes would work with existing security agencies and be properly trained to combat crime 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,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo also hinted at plans to profile settlers from other states to ensure they are not involved in criminal activities, noting that the market would be fenced, fitted with streetlights, and abattoirs would be constructed for livestock processing to improve security and orderliness.
“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,” he said.
He further revealed that President Bola Tinubu has shown concern over recent tensions and is committed to ensuring peace.
“Those destroying the land, causing problems are not even from Nigeria. They are foreigners, but the president has vowed to bring peace to Nigeria,” Okpebholo said.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE