Rising Kidnapping Cases Prompt Ten Nigerian States To Consider Tougher Penalties, Including Death Sentence And Life Imprisonment

In response to the escalating concern surrounding the rampant abduction crisis in the nation, at least ten states have pledged to enforce stringent penalties, including the death sentence and life imprisonment, for individuals convicted of kidnapping…….CONTINUE READING

The commitment was articulated on Tuesday when the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, dispatched intelligence squads to state commands and formations to combat the surge in abductions and other criminal activities nationwide.

Several states, including Kano, Benue, Bayelsa, Enugu, Anambra, Nasarawa, and another northern state, expressed their determination, in separate interviews with The PUNCH, to apply the death penalty to convicted kidnappers within their jurisdictions.

Officials from Kwara, Ondo, and Osun states affirmed their resolve to implement relevant anti-kidnapping laws, which include life imprisonment.

The nation has been on edge due to the recent wave of abductions across multiple states and the Federal Capital Territory, with victims being seized by gunmen and substantial amounts of money extorted from them in what appears to be a coordinated criminal operation.

In Kano State, the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sanusi Tofa, confirmed that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration would uphold the anti-kidnapping law, which prescribes the death penalty for convicts.

The Anti-kidnapping, Abduction, and Forced Labour Bill, signed into law by the immediate past administration of former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, introduced severe penalties for kidnapping, including the death sentence for those who abduct and kill their victims. Kidnappers who do not cause the death of their victims may face life imprisonment.

Benue State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, assured that the current administration is fully committed to implementing the anti-kidnapping law, which mandates the death sentence for abductors.

In Bayelsa, the Anti-kidnapping law, known as the ‘Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Act, 2013,’ stipulates the death penalty for kidnapping. The legislation grants the governor the authority to sign the death warrant for convicted kidnappers.

Anambra State amended its Criminal Code to make kidnapping punishable by death. While no offenders have been punished yet, the state government is actively working to enforce anti-kidnapping laws.

In a North-Central state, the penalty for kidnapping depends on whether the incident resulted in the death of the victim, with death penalty for fatal cases and life imprisonment for non-fatal ones.

Nasarawa State enacted the State Kidnapping Act Prohibition Law, 2020, imposing the death penalty on convicted kidnappers and forfeiture of their property. Property owners allowing their premises for kidnapping face 20 years in jail.

Ondo State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Titiloye, affirmed the implementation of the anti-kidnapping law, emphasizing its role in protecting the state’s residents.

In Kwara State, the penalty for kidnapping is life imprisonment, according to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Suleiman, who stated that there are currently no plans to amend the law.

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