Edo governor Okpebholo vows to sign death warrants for convicted kidnappers, 'even my father'

Edo State governor Monday Okpebholo says he will approve the execution of convicted kidnappers, regardless of who they are.
What he said
In a video shared on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, the governor said he would sign death warrants for anyone found guilty of kidnapping, even if it were his own father or a close relative. He said the state needed to remove criminal elements from society, arguing that kidnappers were the ones killing people.
The law
Edo State has a law that prescribes the death penalty for kidnapping, and the governor's administration says it is moving to enforce it. Under Nigerian law, state governors must sign death warrants before executions can take place.
Background
Executions in Nigeria are rare because governors have generally been reluctant to sign death warrants, and human rights groups oppose the death penalty.
- Okpebholo says he will sign death warrants.
- Edo law prescribes death for kidnapping.
- Executions are rare in Nigeria.


