The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to personally supervise the execution of anyone convicted of kidnapping, saying he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant even if the person involved was his father or a close family member.
It was reported that Okpebholo made the declaration in a video shared by TheCable on Tuesday, while speaking on his administration’s efforts to tackle kidnapping and other security threats in the state.
The governor said his government was determined to remove criminals from society, arguing that kidnappers had caused the death of many innocent people.
He said, “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.
“Because somebody will die. But these people are the ones killing people. How many people have we killed?”
The governor defended his position by pointing to the pain, injuries and trauma suffered by victims of kidnapping.
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He recalled an incident involving a woman who was allegedly pushed during an abduction attempt, saying the fear alone could have caused her death.
Okpebholo also spoke about an attack on the state’s Chief Judge, claiming that the judge sustained serious injuries during an encounter with kidnappers and lost the use of one hand.
He said, “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.
“Even our Chief Judge, if you see our Chief Judge, one of his hands was cut off by kidnappers.”
Okpebholo disclosed that he had contacted the state Attorney-General to find out the status of the necessary documents for the execution of convicted kidnappers.
He said he was waiting for further action but vowed that his administration would continue to pursue the cases through the appeal process.
The governor insisted that his government would not allow anyone convicted of kidnapping to escape punishment.
He added, “But we still follow them up on the appeal. 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.
“I stand, if I see this paper today, now, I will sign it and I will even supervise the killing.”
The governor’s comments come amid the implementation of the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, which introduced the death penalty for kidnapping offences that result in the death of victims.
It was understands that the Edo State House of Assembly passed the amendment in February 2025, and Okpebholo signed it into law later that month.
Under the law, kidnappers whose victims survive the incident face life imprisonment, while those directly involved in abductions that lead to the death of victims face the death penalty.
The law also provides punishment for anyone who helps, supports or encourages kidnapping activities.
In September 2026, four men were sentenced to death by a special criminal court in Edo State over the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
The convicts were identified as Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael.
They were found guilty of the abduction, which took place on June 14, 2026, and other related offences.
Okpebholo had earlier vowed to sign the death warrants of convicted kidnappers who failed to appeal their sentences within the stipulated 30-day period.
As part of efforts to tackle insecurity, his administration also established a special criminal court to speed up the trial of kidnapping and cultism cases in the state.
