The government of Ondo State is justified in not only lamenting the menace that kidnapping has become in the state, but also in imposing the death penalty as punishment for culprits. Indeed, kidnapping for ransom is about the most tragic criminality afflicting the entire country. 
 
Nigeria has been grappling with multifaceted violent security crises, such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, herder/farmer conflicts, cattle rustling, etc. While some of these criminal activities have assumed a regional complexion, kidnapping has gained nationwide spread.

SBM Intelligence, a geopolitical research firm, in its latest report titled “Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry”, revealed that no fewer than 762 Nigerians were killed by kidnappers in 4,722 abductions between July 2024 and June 2025. It also stated that a staggering sum of N2.57 billion was paid as ransom within the stated period. Therefore, it is clear as crystal that kidnapping is a thriving mega industry in Nigeria.
 
The Ondo government, the other day, disclosed its intention to introduce the death sentence for the offence of kidnapping in a bid to curb the upsurge in abductions within its jurisdiction. According to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, “kidnapping and cultism have become major threats to safety and public order” in the state.
 
He further explained that the government has resolved to tackle these security challenges by strengthening the existing relevant legal framework and improving the overall security landscape of the state. Incidentally, a few other states, including Imo State, concerned about the spate of kidnapping in their domain, have either imposed the death penalty as their punishment or are in the process of doing so. Most others already have stiff imprisonment terms against kidnapping. It does appear that the real problem is the absence of political will to execute these various statutory punitive measures. 

Undoubtedly, the geometric progression of kidnapping activities stems from Nigeria’s disregard for its far-reaching consequences. The government has failed to treat the menace as an existential problem, an internal security challenge, a public safety threat, a national reputation albatross, and an impediment to foreign investments.
 
Kidnapping is a heinous crime that should attract drastic penal sanctions. The perpetrators are vicious vipers with zero compassion and regard for the fundamental rights of others; hence, they are unworthy of liberal punishments. 

Arguably, the stiff punishment proposed by Ondo State seems befitting, given the gravity of the crime. Other states, like Kano, have similarly considered the punishment. More so, the death penalty remains a legal sanction in Nigeria. Notwithstanding, the salient question is: has capital punishment proven to be an effective deterrent to capital offences?
 
Statistics reveal that abductions continue to soar in states with existing death penalty anti-abduction laws. So, why are kidnappers undaunted by these laws? There is no gainsaying that any statutory provision, whether stringent or liberal, that is unenforced will become a dead letter law.  

Consequently, the conclusion that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent to violent crimes in Nigeria is predicated on the fact that hardly anyone has been prosecuted, convicted and executed upon the court’s order.  
 
The effectiveness of any law can only be determined by the level of its enforcement; non-enforcement is tantamount to nonexistence. It is common knowledge that convicts on death row are rarely executed in Nigeria, mainly due to political will. No criminally-minded person will be deterred by mere threats of punishment.
 
Rather, the government seems inclined to tolerate and sympathise with violent criminals. In February, authorities of the Nigerian military disclosed that no fewer than 2,190 “repentant” terrorists have been reintegrated into society through its Operation Safe Corridor. 
 
Similarly, only a few kidnappers have been tried and sentenced in Nigeria despite the high rate of kidnapping. Indisputably, the Nigerian government is not giving the anti-kidnapping fight the seriousness it deserves in terms of punishment.
 
Suffice it to say that the rise in kidnapping and related activities is substantially fuelled by the inaction or weak action of the government. Some of the victims of the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack were held in captivity for over six months without the government being able to rescue them. They only regained freedom after meeting the ransom demands of their abductors. 
 
Globally, the security and welfare of the people remain the primary purpose of governance. However, considering the levity with which the Nigerian government is handling crimes, it is pertinent to ask: wherein lies its loyalty? There is no other nation in the world that publicly negotiates with and compensates murderous felons like Nigeria.
 
This systemic failure is the reason for the mass exodus of foreign criminals into Nigeria. The pull-factors include our fallible criminal justice system, pardoning purportedly repentant criminals, rewarding notorious gangsters (with chieftaincy conferment, monetary compensation, etc.), societal glorification of persons of questionable means, unhindered access to the country, and absence of a formidable deterrence measure.
 
Countering violent crimes goes beyond enacting or revising relevant laws – the country’s statutes are replete with laws that adequately cover the field. The foremost tool required in this regard is political will. Accordingly, the Ondo State Government must show commitment to eradicating kidnapping within its domain.

It should ensure full enforcement of the provisions of the proposed anti-abduction legislation. To achieve this, it should collaborate with the federal government, under whose direct authority and control the entire security apparatus of the country is. All other states need to synergise and harmonise efforts towards eradicating kidnapping in the country.
 
On its part, the federal government is duty-bound to assist and provide state governments with all the manpower, tactical, intelligence, equipment, and other support required to give full effect to the provisions of proposed anti-kidnapping laws.
 
Importantly, all tiers of government should address the underlying factors responsible for the upsurge in violent crimes nationwide. With 80 million jobless youth and over 130 million people living in multidimensional poverty, Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb. Unarguably, a high unemployment rate and poverty are potential stimulants for criminal activities.
 
Consequently, kidnapping and related offences should be proactively tackled at the root cause. A combination of strong preventive measures, namely: effective policing, a fair and functional criminal justice system, reducing the proliferation of firearms, stringent border control, youth empowerment schemes, people-oriented economic policies, and stringent anti-kidnapping operations, is highly recommended.