Tougher Measures in Edo as Govt Imposes Death Penalty for Kidnapping

Governor Monday Okpebholo and the State House of Assembly are united in their strong opposition to the growing issue of kidnapping, according to the Edo State administration.
This was revealed by Fred Itua, the governor’s chief press secretary, in a statement released on Thursday.
The Edo State House of Assembly enacted the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, according to the government’s statement, “A STEP-BY-STEP BREAKDOWN OF NEW KIDNAPPING PROHIBITION LAW IN EDO STATE.”

“Governor Monday Okpebholo and members of the State House of Assembly are united in taking a firm stand against the escalating threat of kidnapping in Edo State,” the statement said. In 2025, the Edo State House of Assembly passed the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law. A daring legislative milestone, this amended law aims to tighten the noose around kidnappers, their accomplices, and those who facilitate their activities. The government’s determination to improve public safety and rebuild trust in the state’s legal and law enforcement systems is evident in this. This modified law has greatly increased the severity of the punishment for abduction. According to one of the nation’s strictest anti-kidnapping laws, anyone directly implicated in a kidnapping when a life is lost faces the death penalty. In contrast to earlier laws that imposed milder penalties, convicted kidnappers now risk life in prison for situations in which the victims survive the ordeal.

Additionally, the law establishes a minimum term of 21 years for anyone who attempts to perpetrate, helps, abets, or conspires to commit the crime of abduction, demonstrating the government’s goal to punish not only the act but also the whole network of support that underlies it.

The clause that targets people who give kidnappers shelter, hiding places, or logistical help is another ground-breaking feature of the legislation. These people now face a minimum 14-year prison sentence upon conviction, regardless of whether they were personally involved in the crime. The goal of this broad provision is to eliminate the conditions that allow abductions to be planned and carried out, so plugging the gaps that criminals have long taken advantage of.

Additionally, the legislation expands the definition of what is considered abduction. It now involves forcing someone else into imprisonment, regardless of the length of time or type of incarceration, by use of threats or deception. The goal of this redefinition is to include a broader range of criminal strategies, particularly those that deprive people of their liberty without resorting to conventional hostage-taking situations.

It’s noteworthy that the legislation makes ransom negotiations illegal as well. Now, anyone—whether a family member or not—who accepts, proposes, or facilitates the exchange of ransom money could face legal action. The goal of the law is to make it less profitable for offenders by ending the circle of financial incentives that have supported the crime’s continuation. Similarly, it is now illegal to possess both immovable and moveable property obtained through ransom money, as this can result in forfeiture and other legal repercussions.

Included in the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025 are provisions that guarantee the safety of victims and witnesses throughout the legal battle. It requires witnesses to remain anonymous and protects them from possible retaliation. This clause represents a shift toward a more victim-sensitive justice system and is crucial considering the anxiety and hesitancy sometimes connected to testifying against dangerous perpetrators.

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“This new law is a response to the increasing calls for stricter laws from the public, security experts, and civil society to stop the increase in kidnappings that have not only endangered lives but also disrupted economic activity and disturbed communal harmony.”

“The Edo State government has made it obvious that it would no longer put up with criminal activity that infringes upon the sanctity of human freedom by deciding to implement such extensive and severe actions.

Training law enforcement personnel, informing the public on the implications of the amendments, and sensitizing the judiciary will be prioritized as the state carries out the terms of this law. For the law to be effective and to create a safer Edo State where people can live without fear, a multifaceted strategy is required.