Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has ordered the Ministry of Justice to amend the punishment for kidnappers in the state, from imprisonment to death penalty.
The governor disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of a 16-man commission of inquiry on the kidnap of eight children in Kano and sold in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Ganduje described the perpetrators as wicked, noting that the act of kidnapping was against the teachings of Islam and Christianity. He said:
“I have also directed the Ministry of Justice to amend the relevant provisions in the penal code that provide for the punishment of the offender of kidnapping from imprisonment to death penalty. This will deter people from committing this type of heinous crime in Kano state.”
“Some of the victims stayed as captives for over five years in Anambra State, losing their identity, culture and religious background. Kano State takes this callous crime as a serious security challenge that will not be allowed to continue.”
Governor Ganduje appointed retired Justice Umar Rano, as chairman of the Commission and gave the body 30 days to complete its assignment.