Okpebholo: I’d sign death warrant of my relatives if found guilty of kidnapping
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has declared that he would not hesitate to approve the execution of anyone convicted of kidnapping in the state, even if the suspect is a member of his family. The governor said his administration would not spare anyone found guilty of kidnapping, insisting that the fight against insecurity must […]
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has said he would sign the death warrant of relatives if they were found guilty of kidnapping. The governor stated that his administration would not spare anyone convicted of kidnapping, emphasizing that the fight against insecurity must be pursued without regards to sentiment or favoritism. In February 2025, the Edo State Government implemented the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, introducing the death penalty for kidnapping offenses resulting in death.
In September 2026, four individuals were sentenced to death by the Edo State Special Criminal Court for the abduction of a woman in Benin City. The governor defended this stance, stating that kidnappers had caused the deaths of many innocent people and that decisive action was necessary to restore security.
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