How I refused N300m ransom demand for kidnapped brothers — Zamfara governor

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom after his brothers were abducted by kidnappers in 2019, saying he was prepared to lose them rather than negotiate with criminals.

Lawal made the revelation on Thursday at the ARISE News/THISDAY Town Hall Conference in Abuja, where he argued that ransom payments have become a major incentive for kidnapping across the country.

The governor said the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the release of his brothers, but he rejected the request outright.

According to him, he made it clear to the abductors that he would not part with any money, regardless of the consequences.

“My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals were demanding about N300 million. I told them I wasn’t going to pay a dime. If they wanted, they could kill them,” he said.

Lawal said his brothers eventually regained their freedom after spending three months in captivity without any ransom being paid.

Governor warns against paying ransom

The governor maintained that paying kidnappers only strengthens criminal networks and encourages more abductions.

He said once criminals realise that victims’ families or governments are willing to pay, kidnapping becomes an increasingly profitable enterprise.

Lawal insisted that ending ransom payments would reduce the attraction of kidnapping and make criminals reconsider their activities.

He reaffirmed that he would never negotiate with kidnappers or make any payment to secure the release of abducted persons.

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

Renews campaign for state police

Lawal also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, saying governors cannot be held responsible for insecurity when they lack authority over security agencies operating within their states.

He noted that although governors are often described as chief security officers, they do not possess the command-and-control powers needed to direct security operations.

According to him, the arrangement makes it difficult for governors to effectively tackle insecurity despite being held accountable by the public.

Calls for greater security powers

The governor argued that security is the bedrock of development and questioned why governors should bear responsibility for protecting lives and property without having operational control over law enforcement agencies.

He said creating state police would make governors directly accountable for security while enabling state governments to recruit, train, equip and adequately fund personnel based on local security challenges.

Lawal also criticised the condition of the Nigeria Police Force, attributing many of its challenges to inadequate funding, poor welfare packages and insufficient training.

Zamfara boosts security operations

Highlighting his administration’s efforts, Lawal disclosed that the Zamfara State Government currently finances more than 30 per cent of security operations in the state.

He said the government has purchased over 500 operational vehicles for security agencies in the past three years to strengthen the fight against banditry and other violent crimes.

According to him, the state recently added 35 Armoured Personnel Carriers and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to improve security operations.

Drones deployed to combat banditry

Lawal added that his administration has invested in modern technology by acquiring both surveillance and attack drones to support security agencies in tracking and confronting criminal groups.

“We bought drones, both surveillance drones and attack drones, to be able to aid the security forces in terms of fighting these criminals in their respective areas,” he said.

He stressed that the long-term solution to banditry and kidnapping lies in strengthening security institutions through better funding, training, equipment and technology rather than rewarding criminal activities with ransom payments.