The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a new law that imposes the death penalty for individuals convicted of kidnapping, a move seen as a direct response to the alarming rise in abductions across the state and the nation.
The landmark legislation, known as the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2025, was approved during a plenary session on Tuesday.
The bill was introduced and debated amidst the growing wave of kidnapping incidents, which have put immense pressure on both state and federal authorities to take decisive action.
Majority Leader Charity Aiguobarueghian led the motion for the House to enter into a Committee of the Whole for a clause-by-clause review of the bill.
The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Henry Okaka, representing Owan East constituency.
Following deliberations, lawmakers amended the Kidnapping Law of 2013, which previously prescribed life imprisonment and the confiscation of property linked to kidnapping activities.
The newly passed law raises the penalty significantly, replacing life imprisonment with a death sentence for offenders convicted of kidnapping.
In line with the 2013 law, property used in the commission of the crime will still be subject to confiscation.
The amendment is seen as a bold and decisive step in addressing the persistent and increasingly violent problem of kidnapping, which has particularly plagued the southern and northern regions of Nigeria.
The spike in abductions for ransom has prompted urgent calls for stricter legal measures to deter potential offenders and curb the growing threat to public safety.
In addition to the new anti-kidnapping law, the Edo State Assembly also passed a bill to repeal the State Electricity Law 2022, which establishes the Edo State Electricity Market, the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Edo Electrification Agency.
This move is aimed at enhancing the state’s electricity sector and improving power supply across the region.
The Assembly confirmed Mrs. Kenny Okojie as the new Chairman of the Governing Board of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
The appointment is part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and services throughout the state.
As the menace of kidnapping continues to rise across Nigeria, the new law in Edo State stands as a strong statement against the crime and serves as a warning to anyone involved in such illegal activities.
With the passage of this bill, the state government hopes to curb the kidnapping crisis and restore peace and security to the region.
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