Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has thrown his full weight behind Governor Monday Okpebholo’s plan to execute convicted kidnappers and cultists, declaring that only the death penalty can keep violent criminals off the streets.
Speaking before a cheering crowd at a political rally in Benin City on Saturday, Oshiomhole insisted that executing convicted kidnappers would send a strong warning to criminal gangs and discourage others from taking up the deadly trade.
“It will keep those who want to go into kidnapping in check,” he declared as supporters erupted in applause.
The former governor maintained that the growing wave of kidnapping and cult-related killings in Edo State demands decisive action, stressing that the lives of innocent citizens must come before the rights of hardened criminals.
His comments came days after Governor Okpebholo vowed to establish a special court to fast-track the trial of suspected kidnappers and cultists, warning that anyone convicted would face the full weight of the law.
Addressing journalists after the parade of suspected kidnappers at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City, Okpebholo declared: “We are going to set up a special court to try kidnappers and cultists. Within two to three weeks, we will be done with it. I will sign your execution.”
The governor assured residents that his administration would work hand-in-hand with security agencies to flush out kidnappers, cultists and other criminal elements, insisting there would be no hiding place for those terrorising Edo communities.
Okpebholo’s hardline stance has attracted applause from many residents who believe tougher punishment is needed to tackle the rising insecurity across the state.
However, legal observers say the real test will come if courts eventually hand down death sentences, as many governors have historically refused to sign execution warrants despite having the constitutional authority to do so.
Nigeria has hundreds of condemned inmates whose appeals have been exhausted, including cases that reached the Supreme Court, yet executions remain rare because state governors have declined to approve the warrants.
While some governors cite human rights concerns and the global campaign against capital punishment, others are believed to avoid signing execution orders because they do not want the moral burden associated with carrying out death sentences.
Investigations have also shown that many execution facilities across the country have become dilapidated, while legal experts argue that transferring condemned inmates to another state creates additional constitutional hurdles since the receiving governor would be required to authorise the execution.
Oshiomhole remains the only governor in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic known to have signed the execution warrant of a condemned inmate, having approved the execution of a convicted armed robber during his tenure as Edo governor.
With Oshiomhole now publicly backing Okpebholo’s tough stance, attention has shifted to whether the Edo governor will match his words with action if the proposed special court eventually convicts offenders.
The Edo State House of Assembly is expected to provide the legal framework for the special court, while Nigerians continue to watch closely as the state intensifies its battle against kidnapping and cultism.
