Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State says his administration has forwarded an government bill to the state House of Assembly to make kidnapping a capital offence punishable by death with out an choice of other punishment.
Mr Nwifuru mentioned this on Friday in the course of the funeral of the slain conventional ruler of Ndufu-Alike Community in Ikwo Local Government Area, Francis Igwe, Vanguard reported.
“This should serve as a deterrent to those planning a kidnapping, whether for political reasons or otherwise,” the governor mentioned.
Mr Igwe, father of the instant previous Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe, was abducted on 1 March 1 whereas on his manner to church.
He was found dead a day later.
‘Youths’ future is bleak’
Mr Nwifuru, whereas talking on the conventional ruler’s funeral, decried the ethical deterioration amongst Nigerian youths.
“I’m frightened about our present-day youths taking on management positions tomorrow. Some of our youths are usually not effectively knowledgeable, they usually act so irrationally.
“I’m involved as a result of, with a few of their attitudinal inclinations, there appears to be no future for our youths.
“The youths need to have a rethink concerning certain actions of theirs, especially as concerns their attitudes towards community leaders,” he mentioned.
“They should desist from treating their leaders as holders of their destinies.”
Mr Nwifuru vowed to implement any courtroom determination in opposition to these arrested over the standard ruler’s homicide, stressing that the proposed laws was supposed to deter kidnapping within the state.
He maintained that the standard ruler’s homicide ought to be the final of such incidents in Ikwo and different elements of the state.
The governor described the late conventional ruler as “a forthright, vocal and astute parliamentarian” who represented his folks successfully within the previous Anambra State.
He mentioned the standard ruler attracted growth initiatives to his neighborhood, together with the favored Folk Technical College, which has produced distinguished Nigerians.
In their tributes, former governors of the state, Sam Egwu and Martin Elechi, in addition to former Senate President, Pius Anyim, described the deceased as a statesman, peacemaker, famend educationist, administrator and passionate chief who left enduring legacies.
They urged the household and the Ikwo folks to take solace in his contributions to society.
Speaking in his tribute, the slain conventional ruler’s first son and former deputy governor, Kelechi, described his father as a faithful household man and function mannequin who guided him on household life, faith, politics and tradition.
He mentioned the circumstances surrounding his father’s death remained troublesome for the household to comprehend.
The former deputy governor mentioned the household was assured that the legacy of the slain conventional ruler would endure for generations to come.
What the relevant legal guidelines say
Kidnapping is against the law in Nigeria.
The offence attracts extreme penalties, together with life imprisonment and, in sure circumstances, the death penalty.
Criminal Code Act and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 are the 2 principal legal guidelines that outlaw kidnapping and hostage taking.
While the Criminal Code Act prescribes imprisonment of up to 10 years, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which addresses the offence within the context of terrorism, prescribes extreme punishment, together with death, the place the offence resulted within the death of a sufferer.
However, the punishment for kidnappings varies throughout the states within the nation.
In Ebonyi State, kidnapping is a critical legal offence.
PREMIUM TIMES experiences that the relevant laws on kidnapping is the Ebonyi State Internal Security Enforcement and Other Related Matters Law, 2009 (Cap. 55, Vol. 2).
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