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Speaker 1: Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Monday op Pepolo,

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has explained and given wider clarifications to the new anti

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kidnapping laws in the state, with specifications that friend or

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family member of suspected kidnapper or any person suspected to

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have made an attempt to kidnap discovering such friend or

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family member to have hidden or provide a temporary stay

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or shelter to the criminal suspect with complete disregard to

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the level of innocency. Such a friend or family member

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may be found to be in connection with the crime.

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The new laws stipulate fourteen years imprisonment with no option

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of fine for such shelter provider or providers this The

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Edo State Government published the clarification a day after the

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government demolished a house of an elder sister of suspected

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kidnap gang member along College Road at Aduawa area in

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Benin City simply because the suspect was living in the house.

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According to the news reporters broadcasted by Oppella Television, with

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additional information that the sister of the suspect is not

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living in Nigeria. She has been in abroad where she

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has been working and providing financial support to her younger

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brother who got himself into the crime of kidnapping business

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for a reward of three hundred and fifty thousand niras.

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The Edo State government while giving the clarification through the

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Office of the Press Secretary to the Governor, in a

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news feature in which the Chief Press Secretary, Fredicchua, titled

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a step by step breakdown of new Kidnapping prohibition law

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in Edo State, said the new laws were with stringent

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principles to deter people from going into kidnapping and providing

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any form of aid to suspected kidnappers with a view

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to guarantee public safety and restore confidence in the law

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enforcement and judicial system in the state. In his words,

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the Governor Press Secretary said, in Edo State Governor munday

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Otpepolo and members of the State House of Assembly are

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united in taking a firm stand against the escalating threat

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of kidnapping. The Meadow State House of Assembly has passed

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the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law twenty twenty five. This amended

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legislation marks a bold legislative milestone aim at tightening the

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nus on kidnappers, their accomplices and enablers. It reflects a

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sharpened resolve by the government to enhance public safety and

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restore confidence in law enforcement and judicial systems within the state.

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Under this amended law, the penalties for kidnapping have been

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significantly strengthened in what is considered one of the most

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stringent anti kidnapping frameworks in the country. The law prescribes

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the death penalty for anyone who is directly involved in

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the act of kidnapping where a life is lost. For

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cases where victims survive the ordeal, a convicted kidnapper now

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faces life imprisonment, a stern departure from lighter sentences in

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previous enactments. Furthermore, the law introduces a minimum sentence of

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twenty one years for anyone who aids, abets, conspires, or

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attempts to commit the offense of kidnapping, reflecting the government’s

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intention to criminalize not just the act itself, but the

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entire chain of support behind it. Another groundbreaking aspect of

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the amendment is the provision targeting those who provide shelter, hideouts,

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or logistical support to kidnappers. Such individuals, regardless of whether

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they directly participated in the crime, are now liable to

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a minimum of fourteen years imprisonment upon conviction. This sweeping

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clause is designed to dismantle the ecosystem that enables the

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planning and execution of abductions, closing loopholes that perpetrators have

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long exploited. Moreover, the law broadens the scope of what

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constitutes kidnapping. It now includes compelling another person through threats

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or deceit, into confinement, regardless of the duration or nature

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of the detention. This redefinition seeks to capture a wider

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array of tactics employed by criminals has especially those that

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do not involve traditional hostage taking scenarios but still infringe

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on the liberty of individuals. Notably, the amendment also criminalizes

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the act of negotiating ransom. Any individual who receives, offers,

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or facilitates the exchange of ransom payments, whether a relative

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of the victim or otherwise, is now at risk of prosecution.

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The law aims to break the cycle of financial incentives

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that have fueled the persistence of the crime, making it

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less lucrative for perpetrators in the same vein the possession

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of property, whether movable or immovable, acquired through ransom, proceeds

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is now a criminal offense, subject to forfeiture and other

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legal consequences. The Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law twenty twenty five

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also includes clauses that ensure the protection of witnesses and

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victims during prosecution. It mandates confidentiality for witnesses and safeguards

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than from potential reprisals. This is an important provision given

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the fear and reluctance often associated with testifying against dangerous criminals,

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and its signals are moved towards a more victim sensitive

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justice system. This new law comes in response to the

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growing calls from civil society, security experts, and the general

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public for tougher legislations to curb the surge in abductions,

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which has not only threatened lives, but has also hampered

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economic activities and shaken communal peace. The Edo State government’s

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decision to adopt such comprehensive and tough measures sends a

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clear message that it will no longer tolerate acts of

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criminality that violate the sanctity of human freedom. As the

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state implements the provisions of this law, emphasis will be

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placed on training law enforcement offices, sensitizing the Judiciary and

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educating the public on the implications of the amendments. This

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multi prong approach is necessary to ensure the law’s effectiveness

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and to build a safer Edo state where citizens can

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live without fear. The governor Press secretary stated as lady,

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bring in you brings in a mortgagees a way