Governor of Oyo state Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday signed into law a bill which now makes the offense of kidnapping a capital crime which leads to the death sentence.
With a spate of kidnappings and ransom demands plaguing the nation, the State Governor has now taken steps to curb that.
The law states that kidnappers are liable to a death penalty if their victim dies while in their custody. If the victim is still alive, they are liable to life imprisonment.
The bill had earlier been passed by the state House of Assembly, following the submission of a report by the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary and Justice, Olukayode Akande.
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Michael Adeyemo, and Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House, Mr. Paul Bankole, had earlier signed the bill before the governor gave it his assent.
Life imprisonment also awaits anyone who kidnaps or threatens to kill, maim or cause bodily harm in order to compel another person, corporate body or organisation to do or abstain from doing any act as a condition for the release of the victim.
An attempted kidnapping now fetches 20 years and aiding and abetting a kidnapper fetches 15 years.