Nigeria, Nov. 3 -- Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State says his administration has forwarded an executive bill to the state House of Assembly to make kidnapping a capital offence punishable by death without an option of alternative punishment.

Mr Nwifuru said this on Friday during the funeral of the slain traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike Community in Ikwo Local Government Area, Francis Igwe, Vanguard reported.

"This should serve as a deterrent to those planning a kidnapping, whether for political reasons or otherwise," the governor said.

Mr Igwe, father of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe, was abducted on 1 March 1 while on his way to church.

He was found dead a day later.

Mr Nwifuru, while speaki...