By Ahmed Yusuf
National News – Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom when his brothers were abducted by kidnappers in 2019, insisting that paying criminals only fuels further kidnappings.
Speaking on Thursday at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, the governor said he maintained a firm stance despite the personal ordeal.
According to Lawal, 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 about N300 million. I told them I was not going to pay a dime. If they wanted, they could kill them,” he said.
Lawal revealed that his brothers eventually regained their freedom after spending three months in captivity without any ransom being paid.
He argued that the continued payment of ransom encourages criminal gangs to intensify kidnapping activities across the country.
“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to keep kidnapping more people,” the governor said, stressing that kidnappers would be discouraged if victims’ families refused to meet their demands.
The governor reiterated that his position had not changed, declaring that he would never negotiate with or pay ransom to criminals under any circumstances.
Lawal made the remarks while advocating the establishment of state police, saying governors should have operational control over security agencies if they are to be held accountable for protecting lives and property.
He lamented that although governors are often referred to as chief security officers of their states, they lack the constitutional authority to direct security agencies.
“In as much as I am called the chief security officer of the state, I do not have the command and control structure to determine what happens or give instructions to security officers,” he said.
The governor maintained that security remains the foundation for development and questioned how governors could be held responsible for insecurity without having direct control over policing.
According to him, the creation of state police would improve accountability by enabling residents to hold state governments responsible for security while allowing states to adequately fund and train security personnel.
Lawal also blamed the challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force on inadequate funding, poor welfare and insufficient training, saying these factors affect officers’ effectiveness.
Highlighting his administration’s efforts to combat insecurity, the governor disclosed that Zamfara State currently finances more than 30 per cent of security operations within the state.
He said the state government had procured over 500 operational vehicles for security agencies in the past three years and recently supplied 35 Armoured Personnel Carriers and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to strengthen security operations.
Lawal added that the government had also invested in surveillance and attack drones to support security forces in tackling banditry and other violent crimes.
He maintained that strengthening security agencies through improved funding, training and technology remains a more effective strategy for addressing insecurity than negotiating with armed groups.
His comments come amid ongoing national discussions on the establishment of state police and broader security reforms aimed at improving the country’s response to rising insecurity.
