Kidnappers to face death penalty in Lagos
In an effort to curb kidnapping in Lagos, the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday signed the Prohibition of the Act of Kidnapping Bill into law.
Ambode said, the law recommends life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom and death penalty in a case where a victim dies.
The governor disclosed the plan of his administration “to put in place appropriate measures, particularly in public schools and other vulnerable targets, to prevent security breaches.”
Ambode revealed the plan at Lagos House, Alausa, yesterday after signing the Prohibition of the Act of Kidnapping Bill into law with two other laws namely the Sports Trust Fund Law and Sport Commission Law.
He signed the three laws alongside the Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello and the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Sinai Agunbiade among others.
The governor explained that the three laws were enacted to address key issues bordering on security and effectively harnessing the potential in the sports sector, noting that kidnapping “has become a major threat to the safety of citizens and therefore required decisive action by the government.”
He added that the kidnapping law “imposes a penalty of life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom. The law stipulates that where a victim dies in the course of a kidnap, the suspect is liable on conviction to death.
“Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos state.” (Thisday)
