The Ondo State Government has approved death sentences for individuals convicted of kidnapping, as part of intensified efforts to combat rising insecurity in the state.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, announced the decision on Saturday following the monthly State Executive Council meeting, speaking on behalf of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
"Kidnappers will be sentenced to death after conviction," Ajulo stated, emphasizing that the measure aims to strengthen security and ensure residents' safety across Ondo State.
Rising Kidnapping Crisis
The southwestern state has recently experienced a surge in kidnapping incidents, with many victims killed despite families paying substantial ransoms. This troubling trend has prompted authorities to take decisive action.
Ajulo identified kidnapping and cultism as "major threats to safety and public order" in the state, arguing that strengthening legal frameworks would help deter such crimes and improve the overall security landscape.
The state's chief legal officer further revealed that proposals would soon be transmitted to the House of Assembly for necessary legislative action to formalize the death penalty for convicted kidnappers.
Public Response
The announcement comes amid growing public concern over security challenges in Ondo State, including recent discoveries of kidnappers' dens in abandoned buildings and increasing drug-related crimes.
Law enforcement agencies have already intensified efforts against criminal activities, with police declaring war on drug peddling and cultism in response to rising crime rates.
The death penalty measure represents one of the most severe responses to kidnapping in Nigeria's legal system, reflecting the gravity of the security situation in Ondo State.
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