Edo Governor Okpebholo Vows To Publicly H∆ng Anyone Convicted Of K!dnapping At Roundabouts, Sets Up Special Court
Edo Governor Okpebholo Vows To Publicly Hang Anyone Convicted Of Kidnapping At Roundabouts, Sets Up Special Court
The governor also announced plans to establish a special court dedicated to the speedy trial of kidnapping and cultism cases, promising that suspects would be prosecuted and convicted within weeks.
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has declared that anyone convicted of kidnapping in the state will be publicly executed by hanging at designated roundabouts for residents to witness.
The governor also announced plans to establish a special court dedicated to the speedy trial of kidnapping and cultism cases, promising that suspects would be prosecuted and convicted within weeks.
Okpebholo made the remarks on Thursday while addressing journalists and security personnel during the parade of suspected kidnappers and other criminal suspects at the Edo State Police Command Headquarters in Benin City.
According to the governor, in the video address shared on his X handle, his administration is determined to ensure that kidnappers and cultists no longer find refuge in Edo State.
“Now we are going to set a special court to try suspected kidnappers and cultists and decided within two, three weeks we are done with it, and I will sign it. The execution —hang him. I will take you to the roundabout so that the whole Edo people will see you, and this I will not have any regrets about,” Okpebholo said.
The governor warned criminal elements against interpreting his calm disposition as weakness.
“Please don’t take my simplicity for granted,” he added.
The governor’s comments came amid ongoing efforts by the state government and security agencies to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Edo communities.
Speaking on the recent kidnapping incident at the Vegetable Market in Benin City, Okpebholo said he had directed security agencies to immediately track down the perpetrators.
He disclosed that one suspect linked to the crime had been arrested, while another was killed during a security operation.
“Following the kidnapping incident at the Vegetable Market in Benin City, I directed security agencies to go after the perpetrators. I am pleased that one suspect has been arrested, another was neutralised during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang,” he said.
The governor maintained that his administration would sustain pressure on criminal gangs operating in the state.
“Look at the number of kidnappers that have been arrested. They will never find peace in Edo State. They will not settle here.
“For me, my message to them is simple: whoever has such a mind to kidnap should know that you cannot do it and go free. There is no crime that will be committed in Edo State and such a person will not be arrested.
“Whoever is supporting you or aiding you to do it should stop because we are ready for you. We are not joking. We are not sleeping. Day and night, security agencies are working to make sure that this land is safe,” he said.
Okpebholo further urged young people to shun cultism and kidnapping, warning that involvement in criminal activities often ends in death, imprisonment and the loss of personal property.
“I want to appeal to our people to stay away from cultism and kidnapping because it will take you nowhere. When you kidnap, what you have you will lose, and at the same time you will lose your life,” he said.
The governor also commended police officers involved in the operation that led to the arrest of the suspects, describing their conduct as professional and courageous.
He rewarded the officers and pledged continued support for security agencies working to secure lives and property across the state.
“Let me be clear: Edo State will not be a safe haven for kidnappers, cultists and other criminals. We are taking decisive steps to strengthen our justice system and ensure that anyone found guilty of these heinous crimes faces the full weight of the law,” he said.
Okpebholo called on residents to remain vigilant and provide useful intelligence to law enforcement agencies, insisting that effective collaboration between citizens and security agencies remained critical to winning the fight against crime.
