Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has revealed that he refused to pay a ₦300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, insisting that negotiating with criminals only encourages more kidnappings.
Speaking on Thursday at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, the governor said he stood by his decision despite the threats from the kidnappers.
Lawal disclosed that the abductors demanded ₦300 million for the release of his brothers, but he refused to negotiate or pay any ransom.
According to him, his brothers spent about three months in captivity before they were eventually released without any payment.
The governor said the experience strengthened his belief that paying ransom only empowers criminal groups and fuels the growing wave of kidnappings across the country.
He maintained that denying kidnappers financial rewards would discourage them from carrying out such crimes.
Lawal also reiterated his support for the creation of state police, describing it as a key step toward improving security and tackling insecurity more effectively in Nigeria.
The governor stressed that his position remains unchanged, declaring that he will never negotiate with or pay ransom to criminals, regardless of the circumstances.
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