Actor and humanitarian Williams Uchemba has sparked nationwide debate after urging the Nigerian government to introduce public executions for convicted kidnappers, arguing that only visible and decisive punishment will curb the growing wave of abductions across the country.
In a video posted on his Instagram page, Uchemba lamented the government’s failure to strictly enforce capital punishment, saying the lack of consequences has emboldened kidnappers to act without fear of the law.
“The capital punishment for kidnapping is death, yet when offenders are arrested, we hardly hear what happens afterwards,” Uchemba said.
“If you ask me, there should even be a dedicated TV channel showing the arrest and public execution of convicted kidnappers. Until real consequences are enforced, nothing will change.”
The actor compared Nigeria’s approach to that of China, where capital punishment is applied to crimes like kidnapping and corruption — a measure he claims has helped keep the country’s crime rate low.
His comments come amid a worrying surge in kidnapping incidents nationwide, particularly as the festive season approaches — a period often marked by increased criminal activity.
Uchemba urged the government to take a tougher stance on violent crime, saying the public’s confidence in law enforcement can only be restored through swift and visible justice.
The video has since generated widespread reactions, with many Nigerians divided over his proposal — some calling it a bold truth, others describing it as extreme.
