Nollywood actor and humanitarian, Williams Uchemba, has sparked intense public debate after calling on the Nigerian government to introduce public executions for convicted kidnappers, insisting that only visible and decisive punishment can curb the country’s worsening insecurity.
In a passionate video shared on his Instagram page, the actor expressed deep frustration over the alarming rate of abductions across Nigeria and the government’s apparent inability to enforce existing laws on capital punishment.
According to Uchemba, the current system allows criminals to act with impunity because there are no visible consequences for their crimes.
“The capital punishment for kidnapping is death, yet when offenders are arrested, we hardly hear what happens afterwards,” he lamented.
“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.”
Uchemba further cited China as an example, noting that the Asian country maintains the death penalty for severe crimes like kidnapping and corruption, a policy he believes has helped keep its crime rate remarkably low.
His statement comes amid a surge in kidnapping cases across Nigeria, with criminal gangs targeting commuters, students, and even religious leaders as the festive season approaches, a time historically linked to heightened criminal activity.
The actor’s bold stance has since generated mixed reactions online. While some Nigerians praised his fearlessness and shared his frustration, others questioned whether such extreme measures align with human rights principles.
Still, Williams Uchemba insists that only firm, public, and transparent enforcement of justice will restore order and rebuild citizens’ trust in the Nigerian justice system.
