Oyo state Govt prescribes death penalty for kidnappers

Governor Abiola Ajimobi has given assent to a new kidnapping bill which prescribes capital punishment for kidnappers in Oyo state

Under the new law, anybody who aids or abets kidnapping is liable to imprisonment for 15 years upon conviction

The new law stipulates that any property owner who knowingly or willingly surrenders his building over which he has control to be used for the purpose of keeping a kidnapped person is liable to 15 years imprisonment

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has warned kidnappers to leave the state in their own interest after he gave his assent to a new kidnapping (prohibition) bill 2016, which prescribes death sentence or life imprisonment for any person who engages in kidnapping, Vanguard reports. 

After the law is signed it into law, a capital punishment is now awaiting any kidnapper whose victim or victims die while in captivity, a convicted offender will however be liable to life imprisonment if the victim is released or rescued unhurt upon the payment of a ransom, while the kidnapper will be compelled to pay back the ransom.

Similar punishment awaits any person who procures, engages or gives information culminating in the kidnapping of someone; an offence the law considered should carry the same weight as kidnapping.

Under the new law, 20 years imprisonment awaits anyone that makes an attempt to kidnap, while anybody who aids or abets kidnapping is liable to imprisonment for 15 years upon conviction, while any person who puts himself forward to be kidnapped for the purpose of extorting ransom from his employer, any person or body would bag 15 years imprisonment.

According to the law, any property owner who knowingly or willingly surrenders his building over which he has control to be used for the purpose of keeping a kidnapped person is liable to 15 years imprisonment, while such property shall be forfeited to the government.

Any person who willingly allows his or her electronics, equipment, instrument, mechanical or movable item to be used for the purpose of kidnapping, aiding or abetting kidnapping, has also committed an offence and will be committed to prison for 10 years if convicted.

Similarly, any property, monies and other valuables owned or realised by anybody convicted of kidnapping shall be forfeited to the government for public use.

According to the law, any person who kidnaps another person by any other means of instilling fear or tricks, with intent to demand ransom or compel another to do anything against his will has committed an office.

Governor Ajimobi who lauded the lawmakers for the accelerated passage of the bill has vowed to enforce the law to the letter.

Meanwhile, officers and men of the 14 Brigade Garrison of the Nigerian army on Sunday, April 10, raided a den of notorious kidnappers in Nkporo community of Ohafia local government area of Abia state.

The troops rescued a victim who was earlier shot and held hostage by the abductors on Wednesday, April 6.

According to the statement signed by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the acting director, army public relations, items recovered include 2 AK-47 rifles, 9 AK-47 rifle magazine loaded with 124 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 Pistol, 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 2 machetes and the sum of N5,490,000.