Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has revealed that he once refused to pay a ₦300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers, saying he instructed them to kill his brothers rather than negotiate with criminals.
Lawal said he took the difficult decision because paying ransom would encourage more kidnappings and strengthen criminal groups operating across the state.
Governor Explains Decision
Speaking on the state’s security challenges, the governor said the kidnappers contacted him after abducting two of his brothers and demanded ₦300 million for their release.
However, he insisted that he would not use public resources or personal funds to reward criminal activities, even when members of his own family were involved.
“I told them to kill my brothers. I will not pay ₦300 million ransom because if I do, they will continue kidnapping innocent people.”
‘Paying Ransom Fuels Kidnapping’
Lawal maintained that ransom payments only embolden kidnappers and make the security crisis worse.
According to him, many criminal groups now rely on ransom proceeds to finance their operations and acquire more weapons. He argued that governments must focus on dismantling the gangs instead of negotiating with them.
Zamfara Maintains Anti-Ransom Policy
The governor reiterated that his administration remains committed to tackling insecurity through security operations and collaboration with federal security agencies.
Furthermore, he said the state government would continue to reject negotiations that could legitimise or reward criminal groups, despite the difficult consequences such decisions may bring.
Security Challenges Persist
Zamfara remains one of the states most affected by banditry and mass kidnappings in north-west Nigeria.
Meanwhile, security agencies have continued operations against armed groups, while state authorities insist that long-term peace depends on weakening criminal networks rather than financing them through ransom payments.
