Nigerians have described the signing of the Lagos State Kidnapping Prohibition Bill, 2016 into law by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as “a step in the right direction’’.

Governor Ambode had assented to the bill which provides life imprisonment for the act of kidnapping and death penalty for kidnappers whose victims die in their custody.

They said the state government should ensure strict enforcement of the law, commending it for the law, saying it would no doubt chase kidnappers away from the state.

According to them, effective enforcement of the law should be paramount, saying the move would help to prevent the subsequent occurrence of such cases in the state.

They said once there was enforcement and the culprits made to face the wrath of the law, it would stem the rising cases of kidnapping, saying the state government’s action was necessary as kidnappers should not be encouraged and handled with kid’s gloves.

The Nigerians said the governor’s action showed the state government was proactive, saying kidnapping was a heinous crime that should be discouraged.

In his remarks, the Deputy Commander, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Lagos State Command, Emmanuel Ayisie, said the law was good, given kudos to the state government and the legislature for enacting a law that would discourage people from kidnapping and at the same time protect the lives of those who were being kidnapped.

Commenting, Lagos State Chairman, Civil Liberties Organisation, Ehi Omokhuale, supported the approval of the law on kidnapping by the state governor, saying the law should not exclude sacred cows.

He said Lagos residents want to see scapegoats so as to deter others who now believe kidnapping has become a career.