Former Edo governor says tougher punishment will deter kidnappers and insists states should determine penalties for crimes under their jurisdiction…..
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has thrown his weight behind the Edo State Government’s proposal to impose death by firing squad on individuals convicted of kidnapping and murder, describing the measure as a necessary deterrent against violent crime.
Speaking at the launch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the forthcoming local government elections in Auchi, Oshiomhole argued that states in a federal system have the constitutional authority to prescribe punishments for offences within their jurisdiction.
His comments come after Governor Monday Okpebholo proposed replacing execution by hanging with death by firing squad for persons convicted of kidnapping and murder in Edo State.
According to Oshiomhole, the proposal reflects the powers available to state governments under Nigeria’s federal structure.
“We are in a federation. Like in the American federation, every state has a right to enact laws on punishment when it comes to state offences. Kidnapping and murder fall within those state offences, and the governor, together with the House of Assembly, has decided to replace hanging with firing squad,” he said.
The former governor maintained that introducing stiffer penalties would discourage criminal activities and send a strong message to those involved in kidnapping.
“Those who don’t want to suffer that punishment should stay away from Edo State. We fully support the proposal,” Oshiomhole added.
Beyond supporting the proposed amendment to the state’s criminal laws, the senator also renewed his call for the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralising policing would improve the fight against insecurity.
He disclosed that he had supported President Bola Tinubu and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in advocating the creation of state police.
According to him, governors would be better positioned to confront heavily armed criminal groups if they had direct control over state policing structures.
He argued that relying on local vigilante groups equipped with outdated weapons places communities at a disadvantage against criminals carrying sophisticated firearms.
“If we have state police, Governor Monday will have the authority to acquire modern equipment needed to confront these criminals effectively,” he said.
The Edo State Government’s proposal forms part of broader efforts to tackle rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes across the state.
If enacted, the legislation would replace execution by hanging with death by firing squad for individuals convicted of kidnapping and murder, a proposal that has sparked fresh public debate over capital punishment, crime deterrence, and the extent of states’ legislative powers within Nigeria’s federal system.
