According to the Edo State government, the State House of Assembly and Governor Monday Okpebholo are united in their strong opposition to the growing issue of kidnapping.
This was revealed in a statement released on Thursday by Fred Itua, the governor’s chief press secretary.
The administration clarified that the Edo State House of Assembly has approved the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, in a statement headlined “A STEP-BY-STEP BREAKDOWN OF NEW KIDNAPPING PROHIBITION LAW IN EDO STATE.”
“Governor Monday Okpebholo and members of the State House of Assembly in Edo State are united in taking a firm stand against the escalating threat of kidnapping,” the statement said. The Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025 was approved by the Edo State House of Assembly. In an attempt to tighten the noose on kidnappers, their accomplices, and facilitators, this modified act represents a daring legislative milestone. It shows the government’s determined efforts to improve public safety and rebuild trust in the state’s legal and law enforcement systems. The consequences for kidnapping have been greatly increased under this modified statute. The law stipulates that anyone actively participating in a kidnapping when a life is lost faces the death penalty, making it one of the strictest anti-kidnapping laws in the nation. A convicted kidnapper now faces life in jail for cases when the victims survive the ordeal, which is a severe change from the lesser punishments in earlier laws.
The government’s goal to punish not only the act of abduction but also the entire network of support behind it is reflected in the law’s introduction of a minimum term of 21 years for anybody who assists, abets, conspires, or attempts to perpetrate the crime.
The clause in the amendment that targets people who give kidnappers sanctuary, hiding places, or logistical help is another ground-breaking feature. Such people are now subject to a minimum of 14 years in jail upon conviction, regardless of whether they were directly involved in the crime. This broad provision aims to eliminate the framework that permits the preparation and carrying out of kidnappings, plugging the gaps that criminals have long taken advantage of.
Additionally, the law expands the definition of kidnapping. Regardless of the length of time or type of custody, it now involves forcing someone else into captivity by threats or deception. This redefinition aims to encompass a broader range of criminal strategies, particularly those that violate people’s rights to liberty without including conventional hostage-taking situations.
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Notably, the change makes ransom negotiations illegal as well. Anyone, including family members of the victim, who accepts, proposes, or facilitates the exchange of ransom money might potentially face legal action. By making the crime less profitable for offenders, the law seeks to end the circle of financial incentives that have supported its continuation. In a similar spirit, it is now illegal to possess real estate or other assets obtained through ransom money, as this can result in forfeiture and other legal repercussions.
There are provisions in the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025 that guarantee the safety of victims and witnesses throughout the legal process. Witnesses are protected from possible retaliation and are required to maintain confidentiality. Given the anxiety and hesitancy frequently connected to testifying against dangerous criminals, this clause is crucial and represents a shift toward a judicial system that is more victim-sensitive.
The public, security professionals, and civil society have been calling for stricter laws to stop the increase in kidnappings, which has not only endangered lives but also disrupted economic activity and disturbed social harmony. This new law is a response to their demands.
“The adoption of such extensive and severe actions by the Edo State government makes it abundantly evident that it would no longer put up with criminal activity that infringes upon the sanctity of human freedom.
“The state will prioritize training law enforcement personnel, educating the public about the implications of the amendments, and sensitizing the judiciary as it carries out the provisions of this law.” This multifaceted strategy is required to guarantee the law’s efficacy and create a safer Edo State where residents can live in peace.
