Amid a troubling rise in kidnappings across Nigeria, there is growing momentum behind calls for stricter penalties — including the death penalty — for perpetrators of such crimes.
Joining the chorus, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared his support for capital punishment for convicted kidnappers, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity head-on.
Speaking at a town hall stakeholders’ session in Uromi, during an interactive meeting with leaders and members of the Arewa community in Esan land on Friday, Governor Okpebholo made his position clear.
He vowed to sign any law imposing the death penalty on individuals found guilty of kidnapping by a competent court of law.
The governor’s declaration underscores the urgency of addressing kidnapping, which has become an alarming trend in Edo State and across the country.
His remarks signaled a no-tolerance stance towards such heinous crimes, emphasizing that his administration is prepared to deploy the harshest legal measures to restore safety and order.
However, the conversation at the forum also took a deeper turn, touching on the complicity of corrupt politicians in Nigeria’s broader security and governance challenges.
Many participants pointed out that political leaders who abuse their offices and siphon public funds are, in effect, worse than kidnappers — depriving citizens of basic amenities, opportunities, and hope.
There is a growing sentiment among citizens that corrupt public officials should face equally severe consequences, including the death penalty, for betraying public trust and perpetuating systemic poverty through embezzlement and mismanagement.
Public opinion sampled at the event suggested that holding politicians to the same standards as criminals would serve as a strong deterrent and a pathway to restoring trust in government institutions.
Proponents argue that extending the death penalty to corrupt politicians would not only deliver justice but would also send a powerful message that leadership is a responsibility, not a license to plunder.
They contend that corruption, much like kidnapping, robs citizens of their lives and livelihoods — often with devastating generational consequences.
Nonetheless, experts caution that while harsh penalties may offer immediate retribution, they must be implemented fairly and in strict accordance with the rule of law.
They stress that a holistic approach — combining punitive measures with reforms to strengthen transparency, promote good governance, and create avenues for rehabilitation — is essential to address the root causes of corruption and criminality.
As the debate intensifies, it is clear that Nigerians are demanding not just security on the streets, but integrity in their leadership.
Calls for extending the death penalty to both kidnappers and corrupt politicians reflect a deeper yearning for justice, accountability, and a government that truly serves its people.
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