Akure, June 22, 2025 – In a bid to curb the escalating wave of kidnapping in the state, the Ondo State Government has introduced a proposal to amend its anti-kidnapping legislation, prescribing the death penalty for individuals convicted of the offence.
The move, revealed in draft legislation presented to the State House of Assembly, aims to significantly raise the stakes for perpetrators. Under the amended law, offenders found guilty of kidnapping would face capital punishment, while properties and assets used in the commission of kidnapping would be forfeited to the state.
If enacted, the proposal would align Ondo with states like Edo and Nasarawa, which have recently strengthened their legal frameworks to include the death penalty for kidnapping. Edo State’s Assembly recently passed the Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2025, prescribing death and confiscation of assets for kidnappers. Nasarawa had earlier approved similar legislation in 2020 .
Supporters argue the tougher penalty is a necessary response to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity. They reference historical precedents where harsh sentencing, such as death for armed robbery under General Gowon’s regime, helped deter violent crimes. Advocates contend that without stiffer punishment, kidnappers may continue to operate with impunity.
Critics caution, however, that capital punishment alone does not address the root causes of kidnapping, such as poverty, unemployment, and weak enforcement. They argue that a holistic approach, combining deterrent laws, robust law enforcement, efficient judiciary processes, and socio-economic interventions, will be more effective.
As the bill is set to undergo clause-by-clause consideration at the Assembly, stakeholders from security, legal, and civil society sectors are expected to weigh in, debating both the moral and practical impacts of the proposed amendments.
