Oluwo advocates death penalty for kidnappers

Apparently worried by the spate of kidnappings in the country, Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, on Thursday advised Osun state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola to consider death penalty for any kidnapper arrested in the state.

Akanbi made the call during a courtesy visit by the traditional rulers of Iwo land to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola in Osogbo on Thursday.

The monarch while expressing concern on kidnapping in the state said it was pertinent that the state government resolve to a harsh penalty for anyone that carried out such an evil act when apprehended.

“We traditional rulers want to beg the governor on behalf of other royal fathers to strictly enforce a harsh penalty for kidnappers when apprehended.

“If possible it should be death penalty instead of life imprisonment as the case may be, ‘’ Akanbi said.

He added that when the death penalty is enforced, such an evil act will be stopped by the perpetrators who may not want to face such a situation.

Read also: 19-yr-old victim regains freedom after 9 days in den of kidnappers

“I am convinced that when a death penalty is enforced, that will make the perpetrators to have a rethink and by that, the evil act might be reduced or stopped.’’ the traditional ruler said.

Going further, Oluwo pledged the readiness of the traditional rulers to support the current administration of Gov. Oyetola.

He suggested that the government should create a synergy between the Chairmen of local governments and traditional rulers, especially in the area of tax collection among other things.

“I want the success of this administration with the support of the royal fathers and the citizens.

“We want you to create a synergy between chairmen of local governments and traditional rulers in the area of Internally Generated Revenue through taxation, mining, among others, ‘’ he said.

While commending the security agencies for their efforts toward making the state a safe place, Akanbi urged the public and key stakeholders to support the current administration to enable it deliver the dividend of democracy.

Meanwhile, the governor while appreciating the monarch said that the Judiciary is taking a deep look into the issue of kidnapping to know the penalty to be recommended for such an evil act.

Oyetola promised that once the judiciary had finished their assignment and taken to the public corridor for debate by stakeholders and accepted, he would not hesitate to pass such into law whether death penalty or life imprisonment.

He urged the traditional rulers to collaborate with hunters in their respective communities to support the current administration in fighting crime.

“These hunters know the nooks and crannies of the bush, especially where most of these kidnappers hide.

“I believe if they can work with the government, it would go a long way in putting an end to kidnapping and rituals in the state,’’ Oyetola said.

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