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The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, on Thursday suggested death penalty for kidnappers caught in the state.
Akanbi made the call when he and other traditional rulers in Iwo land paid a courtesy visit on the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to felicitate with him on his victory at the Supreme Court.
News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the Oluwo said the issue of kidnapping in the state have become worrisome and demanded a stiffer 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, ‘’ he said.
The monarch said he was “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.’’
Akanbi further said traditional rulers were ready to support the administration of Governor Oyetola, adding 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(IGR), through taxation, mining, among others, ‘’ he added.
The traditional ruler commended security agencies for their efforts towards making the state a safe place.
He urged the public and key stakeholders to support the current administration in the state to enable it deliver the dividend of democracy to the people.
Reacting, Governor Oyetola appreciated the royal fathers for their visit, saying 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.
The governor promised that once the judiciary has finished its assignment, the recommendations would be subjected to public debate for stakeholders to make an input. He added that whatever the stakeholders agreed upon, he would not hesitate to pass it into law whether death penalty or life imprisonment.
He also urged the traditional rulers to collaborate with the local hunters in their respective communities, urging them 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,’’ the governor stated.
He noted that the government will look into the recommendation of the traditional rulers in the area of IGR so that the administration in the state can succeed.
He assured the traditional rulers that his administration will ensure that the state stays safe and peaceful for people to live and conduct business without fear.