Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has revealed that he refused to pay a ₦300 million ransom when his brothers were kidnapped in 2019, insisting that yielding to criminals only fuels more abductions across the country.
Speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja on Thursday, the governor said he told the kidnappers to kill his brothers rather than expect any payment.
According to him, the victims were eventually released after spending three months in captivity without any ransom being paid.
Lawal maintained that he would never negotiate with or pay criminals, regardless of the circumstances.
He made the disclosure while advocating the establishment of state police, arguing that governors cannot be fully accountable for security without operational control over security agencies.
The governor also said Zamfara has invested heavily in security by funding operations, purchasing over 500 vehicles, deploying armoured vehicles, and acquiring surveillance and attack drones to strengthen efforts against banditry and kidnapping.