Kidnapping: I’ll signal my father’s loss of life warrant if he’s convicted — Governor Okpebholo

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to approve the loss of life warrants of convicted kidnappers, no matter their relationship with him, declaring that he would personally supervise their execution.

The governor mentioned he wouldn’t spare anybody discovered responsible of kidnapping, even when the individual was his father or an in depth member of the family.

Okpebholo spoke in a video shared by TheCable on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 amid efforts by his administration to implement the state’s regulation prescribing the loss of life penalty for kidnapping.

“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,” he said.

“Because somebody will die. But these people are the ones killing people. How many people have we killed?.”

The governor said kidnapping victims had suffered severe trauma, citing an incident in which a woman was allegedly pushed during an abduction attempt and the injuries sustained by the state’s Chief Judge in an attack by kidnappers.

“Just have a look at the way in which they had been pushing that lady down there. Supposing she died at that, due to concern, solely concern. It’s sufficient for her to die. People have gone by means of trauma.

“Even our Chief Judge, for those who see our Chief Judge, considered one of his arms was lower off by kidnappers,” he added.

Okpebholo said he had asked the state Attorney-General about the status of the relevant documents and was awaiting further action.

He, however, vowed to pursue the matter through the appeal process, insisting that those convicted would not be allowed to escape punishment.

“But we nonetheless comply with them up on the attraction. We received’t simply allow them to go like that. So we’ll get to wherever they cease, we’ll take them from there. We won’t spare anyone.

“I stand, if I see this paper today, now, I will sign it and I will even supervise the killing,” he mentioned.

The governor’s feedback come amid the implementation of the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, which launched the loss of life penalty for kidnapping offences ensuing within the loss of life of victims.

The Edo State House of Assembly handed the modification in February 2025, and Okpebholo signed it into regulation.

The amended regulation prescribes life imprisonment for kidnapping offences the place victims survive, whereas these instantly concerned in abductions leading to loss of life face capital punishment.

It additionally offers penalties for individuals who help, abet or present assist for kidnapping actions.