Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has revealed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers after his brothers were abducted in 2019, insisting that yielding to such demands only fuels kidnapping and banditry.
Speaking on Thursday at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, the governor said he rejected all attempts to negotiate with the abductors and maintained that no ransom would be paid.
According to him, the kidnappers eventually freed his brothers after about three months in captivity without receiving any payment.
Recalling the incident, Lawal said, “My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals were demanding at the time about N300 million.
“And I said, look, I’m not going to pay a dime. If you like, go and kill them.
“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to be kidnapping people more and more.
“I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens.”
He argued that ending ransom payments would discourage criminals from targeting innocent people for abduction.
The governor also renewed his support for the establishment of state police, saying governors should have operational control over security agencies if they are expected to be accountable for the safety of lives and property.
Lawal described it as contradictory for governors to be regarded as chief security officers of their states despite lacking authority over the police and other security agencies.
He stressed that security remains the bedrock of development and questioned how state leaders could effectively tackle insecurity without direct control of security operations.
According to him, the creation of state police would strengthen accountability, while enabling state governments to recruit, fund and train security personnel based on local security needs.
Lawal also highlighted challenges confronting the Nigeria Police Force, including inadequate funding, poor welfare and insufficient training, saying these factors have affected the effectiveness and morale of officers.
He disclosed that the Zamfara State Government currently finances more than 30 per cent of security operations in the state as part of efforts to combat banditry and other violent crimes.
The governor said his administration has supplied more than 500 operational vehicles to security agencies over the past three years, in addition to 35 armoured personnel carriers and mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles to enhance security operations.
He added that the state had also procured surveillance and attack drones to improve intelligence gathering and strengthen the fight against criminal groups.
Lawal maintained that investing in better funding, training and modern technology for security agencies offers a more sustainable solution to banditry and kidnapping than negotiating with armed groups.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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