AKURE, Nigeria — The Ondo State Government has announced plans to introduce the death penalty for individuals convicted of kidnapping, as part of a broader legal overhaul aimed at addressing rising insecurity and violent crime in the state.
The proposal was unveiled on Saturday, June 21, 2025, by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, following a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting presided over by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Addressing reporters, Ajulo said the council had resolved to begin the process of repealing existing laws related to kidnapping and cultism, with a view to strengthening legal deterrents and enhancing public safety.
“Kidnapping and cultism have become major threats to safety and public order,” he said.
“Strengthening relevant legal frameworks would help deter such crimes and improve the overall security landscape.”
Ajulo confirmed that the proposed legislation would be sent to the Ondo State House of Assembly in the coming days for legislative approval.
“Kidnappers will be sentenced to death after conviction,” he stated, noting that the government remains committed to ridding the state of criminal elements and restoring public confidence.
The proposal marks one of the most severe legal responses to the crime of kidnapping in Nigeria, where abductions for ransom have become widespread across several regions, including the South-West.
Legal experts say the move is consistent with similar legislative measures adopted in states like Lagos and Kaduna, where capital punishment has also been proposed or enforced for kidnapping and related crimes.
However, human rights groups have historically raised concerns about the application of the death penalty in Nigeria, citing issues of due process, overcrowded prisons, and the absence of safeguards against wrongful convictions.
Ajulo did not comment on whether the proposed law would include retroactive provisions or how the government plans to implement death sentences if passed.
Governor Aiyedatiwa has made internal security a key priority of his administration, and the latest move signals a firm stance on violent crimes amid mounting pressure from residents and civil society for more decisive action.
The proposed legislation is expected to be debated by the state legislature in the coming weeks.
