Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has declared that he will sign the death warrant of anyone convicted of kidnapping in the state, including his own father, and that he would personally supervise the execution.
The governor made the vow in a video shared by TheCable on Tuesday, as his administration moves to enforce the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, which prescribes capital punishment for certain kidnapping offences.
Family ties will not shield convicted kidnappers
Mr Okpebholo said family relationships would not stop him from approving the execution of convicted kidnappers, insisting that the state must remove criminals responsible for its worsening insecurity.
“I pray our brothers are not involved because I will sign it. Even if it is my father, I will sign it. The truth is this: we just have to get some bad elements out of the system for the system to stand,” he said.
He went further, stating that he would personally oversee the execution of convicted offenders. “I stand, if I see this paper today, now, I will sign it and I will even supervise the killing,” he said.
Governor cites trauma suffered by victims
Mr Okpebholo defended his position by pointing to the physical and psychological trauma endured by kidnapping victims. He cited the case of a woman who was allegedly pushed during an abduction attempt, arguing that the fear alone could have killed her.
“Just look at the way they were pushing that woman down there. Supposing she died at that, because of fear, only fear. It’s enough for her to die. People have gone through trauma,” he said.
The governor also referenced an attack on the state’s chief judge, who he said sustained serious injuries, including damage to one of his hands, during an encounter with kidnappers.
“Even our chief judge, if you see our Chief Judge, one of his hands was cut off by kidnappers,” he added.
Attorney-general contacted over execution documents
Mr Okpebholo said he had contacted the state attorney-general to ascertain the status of the documents required for the execution of convicted kidnappers.
He added that his administration would pursue cases through the appeal process to ensure that convicted offenders did not escape punishment.
“We won’t just let them go like that. So we will get to wherever they stop, we will take them from there. We will not spare anybody,” he said.
Latest declaration builds on earlier execution threat
The governor’s latest statement reinforces his earlier threats to execute convicted kidnappers in the state.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on 23 October that Mr Okpebholo said he would sign the death warrants of four men sentenced to death by an Edo State Special Criminal Court if they failed to appeal their convictions within 30 days.
The four men — Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael — were sentenced to death on 29 September over the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
The governor said he hoped the convicts would not appeal their sentences, adding that he would proceed with the executions if they failed to do so within the stipulated period.
The Edo State House of Assembly passed the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law in February 2025, and Mr Okpebholo signed it into law later that month. The amended legislation introduced tougher penalties for kidnapping, including capital punishment, as part of the state’s efforts to combat insecurity.
His administration also established a special criminal court to accelerate the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism cases.
