“Justice Goes Ruthless: Death Penalty For Kidnappers Sparks Nationwide Buzz!”

A fresh bill from the Aiyedatiwa administration in Ondo State seeks to sentence convicted kidnappers to death by hanging.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The new law prescribing capital punishment for kidnappers marks a bold move by the Ondo State government to combat the rising tide of insecurity. The surge in abduction cases — often involving ransom payments and, in tragic instances, the killing of victims despite such payments — has prompted decisive action from the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, noted that both kidnapping and cultism now pose serious threats to public safety and order. This, he explained, is what led the government to propose a tougher legal stance aimed at deterring such crimes and bolstering security across the state.

According to Ajulo, the State Executive Council, under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa, recently convened to review the deteriorating security situation. Among the resolutions reached was the introduction of the death penalty for kidnappers, as well as the demolition of any buildings used as hideouts or operational bases by such criminals.

“Kidnapping and cultism are endangering the peace and safety of our people. Our government is determined to reestablish law and order through a strengthened legal system,” Ajulo emphasized.

Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting in Akure, the state capital, Ajulo said the proposed law would soon be forwarded to the Ondo State House of Assembly for legislative approval. With the All Progressives Congress (APC) holding a commanding majority in the Assembly, the bill is expected to pass smoothly.

This initiative aligns Ondo State with several others that have also adopted the death penalty for kidnapping. Previously, under former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the state’s law mandated life imprisonment for convicted kidnappers. That law, passed during the sixth Assembly, was acknowledged by former Speaker Taofeek Abdulsalam, who confirmed, “The penalty under our tenure was life imprisonment.”

Some government officials have hinted at the possibility of revisiting the new anti-kidnapping law. Among them is former Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, who acknowledged: “The bill was passed and signed into law by the previous assembly, but we will examine it to determine whether a review is necessary.”

Kano State, for instance, already has in place a law against kidnapping, abduction, and forced labour, introduced in 2019 by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and retained by the current administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The law prescribes the death penalty for kidnappers whose actions result in the death of victims, and life imprisonment for those whose victims survive.

Benue State also enforces capital punishment for kidnapping under a law passed during former Governor Samuel Ortom’s tenure and inherited by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration. The 2017 law — the Abduction, Hostage-taking, Kidnapping, Secret Cult and Other Related Offences Act — also mandates the death penalty for anyone found guilty of using their home for illegal detention. Property owners who knowingly allow their premises to be used for hostage-taking are subject to asset forfeiture.

Bayelsa State enacted its anti-kidnapping law in 2013. Signed by then-Governor Seriake Dickson, the legislation empowers the sitting governor to sign death warrants for individuals convicted of kidnapping and related crimes. Similarly, Nasarawa State passed its own anti-kidnapping law in 2020 under Governor Abdullahi Sule, prescribing the death penalty for convicted kidnappers and a 20-year jail term for owners of properties used in such criminal activities, in addition to forfeiture of the property.

Several other states have also adopted similar laws prescribing capital punishment for kidnapping.

However, beyond the legal framework lies a deeper debate: the real-world impact and effectiveness of the death penalty in curbing abductions. Despite such laws, many states continue to grapple with rampant kidnapping. Delays in the judicial process often slow the conviction of suspects, and many governors are reluctant to sign death warrants, leading to overcrowded death rows in correctional facilities. These realities raise questions about whether the death penalty serves as a true deterrent.

It is for these reasons that some argue for a shift in focus — from reactive punishment to proactive prevention. Strengthening security architecture, intelligence gathering, and rapid response mechanisms may prove more effective in preventing kidnappings than relying solely on capital punishment.

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