I REFUSED TO PAY N300M RANSOM FOR MY KIDNAPPED BROTHERS – ZAMFARA GOVERNOR
Read Time:2 Minute, 55 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has revealed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, insisting that negotiating with criminals only fuels the cycle of abductions.
The governor disclosed this on Thursday while speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, where he reiterated his opposition to ransom payments and renewed his call for the establishment of state police.
Recounting his personal experience, Lawal said the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the release of his brothers, but he declined to negotiate or make any payment despite the emotional toll.
“My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals were demanding about N300 million. I said, look, I’m not going to pay a dime. If you like, go and kill them,” he said.
According to the governor, his brothers eventually regained their freedom after spending three months in captivity without any ransom being paid.
He maintained that paying ransom only emboldens criminal groups to continue targeting innocent citizens.
“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to be kidnapping people more and more,” Lawal said, adding that criminals would think twice about abducting people if ransom payments were no longer an option.
The governor stressed that his position on the issue remains unchanged.
“I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens,” he declared.
Lawal also used the forum to advocate for the creation of state police, arguing that governors should be given operational control over security agencies if they are to be held accountable for protecting lives and property.
He lamented that although governors are constitutionally regarded as chief security officers of their states, they lack the authority to direct security operations.
“In as much as I am being called the chief security officer of the state, I don’t have the command and control structure to determine what happens or give instructions to some of these security officers,” he said.
The governor questioned the rationale behind holding governors responsible for insecurity without granting them operational control over policing.
“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?” he asked.
Lawal argued that establishing state police would improve accountability, as residents would be able to directly assess the performance of their elected leaders on security matters.
He also highlighted the need for increased funding, improved welfare and better training for security personnel, noting that these challenges continue to undermine the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, the Zamfara State Government currently funds more than 30 per cent of security operations in the state.
He disclosed that his administration has procured over 500 operational vehicles for security agencies within the past three years and recently supplied 35 Armoured Personnel Carriers and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to strengthen security operations.
Lawal further revealed that the state had acquired both surveillance and attack drones to support security agencies in combating banditry and other violent crimes.
He maintained that strengthening security institutions through adequate funding, technology and training, rather than negotiating with armed groups, remains the most effective strategy for tackling insecurity.
His comments come amid growing nationwide calls for the establishment of state police as part of broader reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s security architecture.
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