Lagos state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has signed into law a death penalty or life imprisonment for the offence of kidnap and forceful extortion in Lagos State as he signs into law the state kidnapping prohibition bill.

The law provides for death penalty for kidnappers whose victims die in their custody, and life imprisonment for the act of kidnapping.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Lagos State House of Assembly passed the bill on January 5.

The governor said that the law was enacted to address key issues bordering on security, adding that kidnapping had become a major threat to the safety of residents and, therefore, required decisive action by the government.

    “This law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom.

   “The law stipulates that, where a victim dies in the course of kidnapping, the suspect is liable on conviction to death.

    “Security is of utmost importance to our administration, and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody, who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos State.

  “Our justice system will be required to execute this law in absolute and make sure that any criminal caught faces the full wrath of the law,” Ambode said.

Considering the enormity of Evans’ crime, it is like that he will be facing a life imprisonment or death penalty punishment.