Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers after his brothers were abducted in 2019, insisting that paying criminals only fuels further kidnappings.
Speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, the governor said he stood firmly against negotiating with the abductors despite the emotional and personal consequences of the incident.
According to Lawal, the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the release of his brothers, but he rejected the demand outright.
"My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals were demanding about N300 million at the time. I told them I was not going to pay a single kobo. If they wanted, they could go ahead and kill them," the governor said.
He revealed that after spending about three months in captivity, his brothers were eventually released without any ransom being paid.
Lawal argued that the continued payment of ransom encourages criminal groups to intensify kidnapping activities, stressing that refusing to negotiate would discourage such crimes over time.
"If we continue paying ransom to these criminals, we are only encouraging them to kidnap more people," he said, adding that kidnappers would eventually reconsider their actions if they realised ransom payments were no longer forthcoming.
The governor reaffirmed that his position remains unchanged, declaring that he would never negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers regardless of the circumstances.
"I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens," he stated.
Lawal made the remarks while advocating for the establishment of state police, arguing that governors should have operational authority over security agencies if they are expected to be held accountable for the safety of lives and property within their states.
He expressed frustration over being referred to as the state's Chief Security Officer while lacking the constitutional authority to direct the operations of security agencies.
"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 some of these security officers," he said.
According to the governor, security is the foundation of development, and it is unfair to hold governors responsible for insecurity when they lack direct control over policing.
"Why is it difficult for people to understand that my primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property, yet I do not have that control? How then do you hold me accountable?" he asked.
Lawal said establishing state police would make elected leaders directly accountable for security outcomes while enabling state governments to adequately fund, equip and train security personnel.
He also observed that the Nigeria Police Force continues to face challenges arising from inadequate funding, insufficient training and poor welfare packages, which he said negatively affect the performance and commitment of officers.
To demonstrate his administration's commitment to improving security, the governor disclosed that Zamfara State currently finances more than 30 percent of security operations within the state.
He revealed that over the past three years, the state government has procured more than 500 operational vehicles for various security agencies. In addition, his administration recently supplied 35 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to strengthen ongoing security operations.
Lawal further highlighted the deployment of modern technology in tackling insecurity, stating that the state has acquired both surveillance drones and attack drones to assist security personnel in combating bandits and other criminal elements.
"We bought drones, both surveillance drones and attack drones, to assist the security forces in fighting these criminals in their various locations," he said.
The governor maintained that the most effective approach to ending banditry and kidnapping is to strengthen security agencies through improved funding, better training, adequate equipment and modern technology rather than engaging in negotiations with criminal groups.
His comments come amid growing nationwide discussions on the establishment of state police and wider security reforms, with many stakeholders arguing that decentralising policing would improve accountability and enable quicker responses to local security challenges.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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