Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Thursday revealed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom when his brothers were kidnapped in 2019, insisting that negotiating with criminals only encourages more abductions.
Speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, Lawal said he took a hard stance against the kidnappers despite the personal cost.
“My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals were demanding at the time about 300 million. And I said, look, I’m not going to pay a dime. If you like, go and kill them,” the governor said.
He said the kidnappers eventually released his brothers after three months in captivity without receiving any ransom payment.
“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to be kidnapping people more and more,” he said, adding that he believed criminals would think twice about abducting people if ransom payments stopped.
Lawal stressed that his position on ransom payments had not changed.
“I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens,”he declared.
The governor made the remarks while arguing for the establishment of state police, saying governors should be given operational control over security in their states if they are to be held accountable for protecting lives and property.
According to him, one of his frustrations as governor is being described as the state’s chief security officer without having authority over security agencies.
“In as much as I was called or I’m being called the chief security officer of the states, however, I don’t have the command and control structure to determine what happens or give instructions to some of these security officers,” he said.
Lawal said security remains the foundation of development and questioned how governors could be held responsible for insecurity when they lacked control over policing.
“Why is it difficult for people to understand that my primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property, and I don’t have that control? How do you hold me accountable?” he asked.
The governor said state police would enable citizens to hold elected leaders directly responsible for security outcomes, while also allowing states to provide adequate funding and training for personnel.
He argued that the Nigeria Police Force suffers from inadequate funding, insufficient training and poor welfare, factors he said affect officers’ effectiveness and commitment.
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