Nollywood actor Williams Uchemba has urged the Nigerian government to enforce public execution for individuals convicted of kidnapping, arguing that only visible and severe punishment can deter the growing wave of abductions across the country.

As reported by Gossip News Now, Uchemba made the appeal in a video shared on his Instagram page on Friday, amid rising insecurity and renewed fears of kidnappings as the festive season approaches.

The actor stressed that the lack of visible consequences for serious crimes such as kidnapping has emboldened offenders. He referenced China’s strict laws, noting that the Asian country imposes the death penalty for both kidnapping and corruption.

“When a child starts stealing meat from the mother’s pot and the mother fails to discipline that child, she is raising a hardened criminal who could one day destroy her life or bring shame to the family,” Uchemba said.

He added that Nigeria’s constitution already prescribes the death penalty for kidnapping but lamented that such punishments are rarely enforced or publicized.

“We have laws in this country, but when it’s time to enforce them, we are not as vocal or firm as we should be. The capital punishment for kidnapping is death. Yet, when kidnappers are caught, we hardly hear what happens next — whether they’re jailed or executed,” he stated.

The actor went further to suggest that the government should create a dedicated media channel that broadcasts the arrest and punishment of kidnappers to serve as a deterrent.

“If you ask me, there should be a dedicated channel — just like BBNaija — that focuses on showing how these criminals are caught and publicly executed. Until people see real consequences for their actions, crime will continue to thrive,” he said.

Uchemba concluded by emphasizing that while many Nigerians aspire for the country to emulate China’s discipline and order, achieving that would require matching its firmness in law enforcement.

“We say we want to be like China, but we don’t have the courage China has. In China, the punishment for kidnapping and corruption is death,” he reiterated.