The Osun State House of Assembly has on Tuesday passed to law the bill prohibiting kidnapping, banditry and ritual killings in the state.

The bill was read for the third time having passed through the debate to correct identified grey areas of the bill by the Committee of the whole of the House of Assembly.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Timothy Owoeye stated that with the passage of the bill, section 364 of the criminal code cap 38 law of Osun which stipulated 10years for kidnappers stand repealed and replaced with the death penalty.

Owoeye noted that where the life of the person kidnapped, restrained or seized is lost in the process, the kidnapper(s) is liable on conviction and will be sentenced to death.

The passed bill also stated that “Any person who kidnaps another person by any means or instilling fear or tricks or compels another to do anything against his will commits an offense.

The Speaker commended members of the Assembly for their diligence while the passage of the bill lasted.

Owoeye noted that the passed bill will soon be transmitted to the state governor for his assent as soon as administrative processes are completed on the bill.