Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo said he would support and sign death warrants for public execution of convicted kidnappers and other criminals sentenced to death, pledging that such executions would be carried out publicly as part of efforts to combat insecurity in the state.
Okpebholo made the remarks on Friday during a visit to the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City, where he met a kidnapping suspect recently arrested by police.
The suspect, identified by police as 32-year-old Marvellous Issac, is accused of belonging to a gang that allegedly abducted Precious Ofure in broad daylight at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.
Police said items recovered from the suspects included a red Lexus RX 350 vehicle, a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, 2.2 million naira ($1,430) allegedly paid as ransom, and a motorcycle.
Okpebholo said he had directed security agencies to arrest those responsible for the kidnapping and that the suspects were apprehended within 24 hours.
“One of the kidnappers died during the operation, while two others escaped,” the governor said. “No kidnapper will go free in Edo. They will be arrested. We are working to make sure Edo is safe.”
He said the state government planned to establish a special court to handle kidnapping and cultism cases, with trials concluded within two weeks.
“I will sign the death warrant. They will be publicly executed,” Okpebholo said.
The governor also appealed to residents to avoid criminal activities and announced a reward of 10 million naira for the police officers involved in the operation.
Edo State Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika said public confidence in the police had improved, leading to increased intelligence sharing.
Agbonika said the Inspector-General of Police had provided the command with drones and other technology that aided the operation.
