The State House of Assembly and Governor Monday Okpebholo are united in their strong opposition to the growing issue of kidnapping, according to the Edo State government.
In a statement released on Thursday, Fred Itua, the governor’s chief press secretary, revealed this.
According to the government’s statement, “A STEP-BY-STEP BREAKDOWN OF NEW KIDNAPPING PROHIBITION LAW IN EDO STATE,” the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, was passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.
In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo and members of the State House of Assembly are united in their strong opposition to the growing threat of kidnapping, according to the statement. They passed the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025, in the Edo State House of Assembly. The purpose of this amended legislation is to tighten the noose on kidnappers, their accomplices, and facilitators. It is a daring legislative milestone. It displays a determined effort by the administration to improve public safety and rebuild trust in the state’s legal and law enforcement systems. The penalties for kidnapping have been considerably bolstered by this updated legislation. The country has one of the strictest anti-abduction laws in the world, which stipulates that anyone actively involved in a kidnapping when a life is lost faces the death penalty. Convicted kidnappers now risk life in jail for cases when victims survive the ordeal, which is a harsh change from earlier laws that imposed milder penalties.
Furthermore, in keeping with the government’s goal to criminalize not only the act of abduction but also the entire network of support that underpins it, the law establishes a minimum term of 21 years for anybody who assists, abets, conspires, or attempts to perpetrate the crime.
“The amendment’s clause targeting anyone who give kidnappers sanctuary, hiding places, or logistical help is another ground-breaking feature. Upon conviction, such individuals face a minimum of 14 years in jail, regardless of whether they were directly involved in the crime. By eliminating the framework that permits the planning and carrying out of kidnappings, this broad provision aims to plug the gaps that criminals have long taken advantage of.
Furthermore, the statute expands the definition of what is considered abduction. It now includes coercing someone else into custody by threats or deception, regardless of the length of time or type of detention. The purpose of this redefinition is to encompass a broader range of criminal tactics, particularly those that violate people’s liberty without involving conventional hostage-taking situations.
Interestingly, the change also makes ransom negotiations illegal. Anyone who accepts, proposes, or facilitates the exchange of ransom money—whether or not they are the victim’s family—runs the danger of facing legal action. By reducing the financial incentives that have sustained the crime, the law seeks to make it less profitable for those who do it. Similarly, it is now illegal to possess property—whether real estate or real estate—obtained using ransom money, as this can result in forfeiture and other legal repercussions.
The Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025 also has provisions that guarantee the safety of victims and witnesses throughout the legal process. It protects witnesses from possible retaliation and requires them to remain secret. This clause is a step in the direction of a more victim-sensitive legal system and is crucial given the anxiety and hesitancy sometimes connected to testifying against dangerous offenders.
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This new law is a response to the public, security professionals, and civil society’s increasing calls for stricter laws to stop the abductions, which have not only endangered lives but also disrupted economic activity and disturbed communal harmony.
The Edo State government’s determination to enact such extensive and severe measures makes it abundantly evident that it would no longer put up with criminal activity that infringes upon the sanctity of human freedom.
Law enforcement officer training, judicial sensitization, and public education of the amendments’ implications would be prioritized as the state carries out the requirements of this law. To guarantee the law’s efficacy and create a safer Edo State where residents can live in peace, a multifaceted strategy is required.
