Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has declared that kidnappers found guilty in the state will face death penalty by hanging.

Okpebholo assured his readiness to sign the death warrants of convicts in the state when they are found guilty by the court.

Okpebholo said this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Uromi, where he had an interactive session with leaders and members of the Arewa community in Esan land.

Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) had passed a bill amending the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law (and Related Matters 2013).

The bill prescribes the death penalty for kidnappers and mandates the confiscation and demolition of properties used in the commission of the crimes.

• Jungle justice: Mob burns 16 northern travellers to death suspected to be kidnappers – Edo

According to the governor, his administration will not tolerate insecurity, killing, and kidnapping anymore.

“I take the issue of insecurity seriously and will not bend the rules but apply them strictly. The new law in the State permits us to demolish their properties and confiscate their lands.

“We will bring kidnappers to the public and execute them to show our seriousness in line with the laws already passed by the Edo House of Assembly. I will not be afraid to sign it,” he said.

The Governor called on all to collaborate with his administration to secure the State, saying “security is the business of all and not for security agencies alone”.

He explained that the state government will employed vigilante teams and pay them salaries unlike in the past when they were only putting on their uniforms without salaries.

He added that the vigilante will work with security agencies and would be trained on how to fight crimes and handle criminals.

“It is time to start profiling people from other States who claim to be from the North and ensure they don’t spoil your name.Those destroying farm land, causing problems are not even from Nigeria”

Earlier, the Chairman of Arewa in Edo Central, Alhaji Bawa Umar, commended the governor and the Onojie of Uromi for the peace that had been restored.