Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to sign the death warrants of convicted kidnappers, saying he would not spare even his father if found guilty of the offence.

The governor also said he was prepared to personally supervise the execution of convicts sentenced to death under the state’s kidnapping law.

Okpebholo made the remarks in a video shared by TheCable on Tuesday, amid his administration’s efforts to enforce the death penalty for kidnapping offences resulting in the death of victims.

“I pray our brothers are not involved because I will sign it. Even if it is my father, I will sign it. The truth is this: we just have to get some bad elements out of the system for the system to stand,” he said.

Governor cites victims’ trauma

Defending the proposed executions, Okpebholo pointed to the physical injuries and psychological trauma suffered by kidnapping victims.

He cited an incident involving a woman who was allegedly pushed during an abduction attempt, saying the fear she experienced could have resulted in her death.

He also referred to an attack on the state’s Chief Judge, who he said sustained serious injuries, including losing the use of one hand.

“Just look at the way they were pushing that woman down there. Supposing she died at that, because of fear, only fear. It’s enough for her to die. People have gone through trauma,” the governor said.

“Even our Chief Judge, if you see our Chief Judge, one of his hands was cut off by kidnappers,” he added.

Okpebholo awaits documents

The governor said he had contacted the state Attorney-General to establish the status of the relevant documents and was awaiting further action.

He, however, maintained that his administration would pursue the cases through the appeal process to ensure that convicted kidnappers did not escape punishment.

“But we still follow them up on the appeal. We won’t just let them go like that. So we will get to wherever they stop, we will take them from there. We will not spare anybody,” he said.

“I stand, if I see this paper today, now, I will sign it and I will even supervise the killing.”

What Edo’s kidnapping law provides

The governor’s comments come amid the implementation of the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, which introduced the death penalty for kidnapping offences resulting in the death of victims.

The Edo State House of Assembly passed the amendment in February 2025, and Okpebholo signed it into law later that month.

Under the amended law, kidnapping offences in which victims survive attract life imprisonment, while those directly involved in abductions resulting in the death of victims face capital punishment.

The law also prescribes penalties for individuals who aid, abet or support kidnapping activities.

In September 2026, four men were sentenced to death by a special criminal court in Edo State over the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.

The convicts were identified as Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael. They were found guilty of the abduction, which occurred on June 14, 2026, and other related offences.

Okpebholo had previously said he would sign the death warrants of convicted kidnappers who failed to appeal their sentences within the stipulated 30-day period.

His administration also established a special criminal court to speed up the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism cases in the state.