\n\n
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has revealed that he refused to pay a ₦300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers after his brothers were abducted in 2019, saying he told the criminals they could kill them rather than receive any payment. Speaking at the ARISE News/THISDAY Town Hall Conference in Abuja, Lawal said he deliberately rejected negotiations because he believes paying ransom only strengthens criminal groups and encourages more kidnappings.
According to the governor, despite pressure from family members and others to meet the kidnappers’ demands, he stood by his decision and refused to pay “a dime.” He disclosed that his brothers spent about three months in captivity before they were eventually released without any ransom being paid. Lawal argued that governments and individuals must stop rewarding kidnappers financially if Nigeria is to effectively curb the country’s growing insecurity.
Lawal used the experience to reiterate his support for stronger security measures, including the establishment of state police, which he said would improve local intelligence gathering and strengthen the fight against banditry and kidnapping. He maintained that ending ransom payments is a crucial step toward discouraging criminal gangs from continuing to target innocent Nigerians for financial gain.
