Zamfara Gov: I Refused To Pay Ransom For My Brothers, Told Kidnappers, ‘If You Like, Kill Them’

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has revealed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, saying he chose not to negotiate with the criminals so as not to encourage the growing menace of kidnapping for ransom.

The governor said his decision was based on his conviction that paying ransom only emboldens criminal groups to continue abducting innocent people.

Lawal disclosed on Thursday while speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, where he also renewed his call for the establishment of state police as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.

Recounting the ordeal, the governor said the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the release of his brothers, but he refused to negotiate or make any payment.

“My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals were demanding at the time about 300 million. And I said, look, I’m not going to pay a dime. If you like, go and kill them.”

According to him, despite his refusal to pay, the kidnappers eventually released his brothers after they spent about three months in captivity.

Lawal maintained that his experience reinforced his belief that ransom payments only strengthen criminal networks and fuel more abductions.

“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to kidnap people more and more.”

He argued that if kidnappers realise they cannot obtain money from victims’ families or governments, they would be discouraged from engaging in the crime.

The governor stressed that his position has remained unchanged over the years, insisting that he would never negotiate with or reward criminals.

“I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens.”

Lawal made the remarks while advocating for the creation of state police, arguing that governors should have operational control over their states’ security architecture if they are expected to guarantee residents’ safety.

He lamented that although governors are widely regarded as chief security officers of their states, they lack constitutional authority to direct the operations of the various security agencies.

“Since I was called or I’m being called the chief security officer of the states, however, I don’t have the command and control structure to determine what happens or give instructions to some of these security officers.”

According to him, the current arrangement places governors in a difficult position, as they are held responsible for insecurity even though they have no direct control over the police and other security agencies operating in their states.

Lawal described security as the foundation upon which every other aspect of development depends, saying meaningful progress cannot be achieved where lives and property are not adequately protected.

“Why is it difficult for people to understand that my primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property, and I don’t have that control? How do you hold me accountable?”

The governor said establishing state police would make elected leaders more accountable to the people, as citizens would be able to directly assess their governors’ performance in maintaining law and order.

He also argued that state governments would be better positioned to recruit, fund, equip and train security personnel based on the peculiar security challenges in their respective states.

Lawal further noted that the Nigeria Police Force is constrained by inadequate funding, poor welfare and insufficient training, challenges he said have continued to affect the effectiveness and morale of officers.