‘I Told Kidnappers to Kill My Brothers Rather Than Pay N300 Million Ransom’ – Dauda Lawal
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, insisting that yielding to criminals only fuels more kidnappings across the country.
The governor made the revelation on Thursday while speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Town Hall Conference in Abuja, where he reiterated his administration’s policy of refusing to negotiate or pay ransom to criminals.
Recalling the incident, Lawal said he told the kidnappers to kill his brothers rather than expect any payment from him.
“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.”
According to him, the abducted victims were eventually released after spending three months in captivity without any ransom being paid.
The governor argued that ransom payments only embolden criminal groups and encourage more abductions.
“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.”
Lawal expressed the belief that kidnappers would be discouraged from carrying out abductions if victims’ families and governments stopped paying ransom.
On the issue of state policing, the governor renewed his support for the establishment of state police, stressing that governors should have operational control over security agencies if they are to be held accountable for protecting lives and property.
“One of my biggest frustrations as governor is being described as the state’s chief security officer despite having no authority over the security agencies.”
He described security as the bedrock of development and questioned how governors could effectively tackle insecurity without command over the police.
Lawal also highlighted his administration’s investments in security, saying the Zamfara State Government currently finances more than 30 percent of security operations within the state.
According to him, the state has supplied over 500 operational vehicles to security agencies in the past three years, alongside 35 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to strengthen security operations.
The governor further revealed that the state government has procured surveillance and attack drones to enhance intelligence gathering and combat banditry.
He maintained that improved funding, training, welfare, and deployment of modern technology for security agencies remain the most effective strategies for addressing kidnapping and banditry, rather than negotiating with armed groups.
