Ebonyi Governor wants death penalty for kidnappers, sends bill to assembly

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has sent a bill to the state House of Assembly. This bill aims to make kidnapping a capital offence punishable by death with no chance of alternative punishment.

Mr Nwifuru announced this on Friday at the funeral of the murdered traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike Community in Ikwo Local Government Area, Francis Igwe, according to Vanguard.

“This should serve as a deterrent to those planning a kidnapping, whether for political reasons or otherwise,” the governor stated.

Mr Igwe, who was the father of Kelechi Igwe, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, was kidnapped on 1 March while heading to church. His body was found the next day.

At the funeral, Mr Nwifuru expressed his concern about the moral decline among Nigerian youths.

“I am worried about our present-day youths taking up leadership positions tomorrow. Some of our youths are not well informed, and they act so irrationally.

“I am concerned because, with some of their attitudinal dispositions, there seems to be no future for our youths. The youths need to have a rethink concerning certain actions of theirs, especially as concerns their attitudes towards community leaders,” he added.

“They should desist from treating their leaders as holders of their destinies.”

Mr Nwifuru promised to support any court decision against those arrested for the traditional ruler’s murder. He emphasized that the new law is meant to discourage kidnapping in the state.

He insisted that the murder of the traditional ruler should be the last of such cases in Ikwo and other areas in the state.

The governor remembered the late traditional ruler as “a forthright, vocal and astute parliamentarian” who served his people well in the old Anambra State.

He mentioned that the traditional ruler brought development projects to his community, including the popular Folk Technical College, which has produced many notable Nigerians.

In their tributes, former governors Sam Egwu and Martin Elechi, along with former Senate President Pius Anyim, remembered the deceased as a statesman, peacemaker, and passionate leader who made lasting contributions.

They encouraged the family and the Ikwo community to find comfort in his legacy.

Speaking about his father, Kelechi, the slain traditional ruler’s first son and former deputy governor, described him as a dedicated family man and role model. He said his father taught him about family life, religion, politics, and culture.

He mentioned that understanding the circumstances of his father’s death is still hard for the family.

The former deputy governor stated that the family believes the legacy of the murdered traditional ruler will last for generations.

Kidnapping is illegal in Nigeria. The law carries heavy penalties, including life imprisonment and, in some cases, the death penalty.

The Criminal Code Act and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 are the main laws that make kidnapping and hostage-taking illegal.

While the Criminal Code Act allows for up to 10 years in prison, the Terrorism Act provides harsher penalties, including death, if the kidnapping leads to a victim's death.

But the punishment for kidnapping differs across the states in Nigeria. In Ebonyi State, kidnapping is treated as a serious crime.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, the relevant law on kidnapping in Ebonyi State is the Ebonyi State Internal Security Enforcement and Other Related Matters Law, 2009 (Cap. 55, Vol. 2).