The recent decision by the Edo State House of Assembly to approve death sentence as punishment for kidnapping is a commendable and long-overdue step in addressing one of Nigeria’s most pressing security challenges. Kidnapping has become an existential threat to national stability, eroding public confidence in the rule of law and the fundamental human right to freedom of movement. If left unchecked, it has the potential to destabilize not just individual states but the entire federation.
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Nigeria, once a nation where people travelled freely without fear, has been gripped by a crisis of insecurity. The surge in kidnapping incidents has disrupted daily life, crippled businesses, and imposed severe emotional and financial burdens on victims and their families. The situation has deteriorated to the extent that many citizens now fear travelling even short distances, unsure if they will reach their destinations safely. This is a national disgrace that must be addressed with all available legal instruments.