{
  "id": 16205090,
  "title": "Gov Okpebholo to sign death warrants for four kidnappers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/gov-okpebholo-to-sign-death-warrants-for-four-kidnappers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T17:15:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/23/gov-okpebholo-to-sign-death-warrants-for-four-kidnappers-after-death-sentence/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced his intention to sign the death warrants for four kidnappers, who were recently sentenced to death by the state’s Special Criminal Court. However, the governor clarified that the death warrant will only be executed if the kidnappers do not appeal the verdict within a 30-day period. During an address at the God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry in Ekpoma, Okpebholo highlighted his administration’s commitment to combating kidnapping, cultism, and other criminal activities. The four individuals were convicted of abducting a woman from a vegetable market on Airport Road in Benin on September 29. The governor acknowledged insecurity as a primary concern when he took office and emphasized his decision to prioritize its resolution, even after discussing the issue with President Bola Tinubu, who had encouraged him to take action. Okpebholo stated that the suspects had been sentenced to death and expressed optimism that they would not contest the decision. He concluded by reaffirming his willingness to execute the death warrants if the suspects fail to appeal within the stipulated timeframe.",
  "summary": "Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State says he will sign the death warrants of the four kidnappers recently sentenced to death by the state’s Special Criminal Court. The governor, however, said the death warrant would be signed if the kidnappers fail to appeal within 30 days. Okpebholo stated this while recounting his administration’s efforts to […] Gov Okpebholo to sign death warrants for four…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Okpebholo vows to sign death warrants of convicted kidnappers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/okpebholo-vows-to-sign-death-warrants-of-convicted-kidnappers",
        "published": "2026-10-23T17:42:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Okpebholo vows to sign death warrant against convicted kidnappers after 30 days",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/okpebholo-vows-to-sign-death-warrant-against-convicted-kidnappers",
        "published": "2026-10-23T21:36:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}