By Our Correspondent
ABUJA — Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that he refused to pay a ₦300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, declaring that yielding to criminal demands would only embolden the nation's growing kidnapping industry.
The governor revealed the deeply personal experience while speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, where he reiterated his long-standing opposition to ransom payments as a strategy for addressing insecurity.
Lawal said that despite the emotional burden of having close family members held captive, he remained resolute in his decision not to negotiate with the abductors.
"My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals demanded about ₦300 million," he said. "I told them clearly, 'I'm not going to pay a dime. If you like, go and kill them.'"
According to the governor, his brothers eventually regained their freedom after spending three months in captivity without any ransom being paid, reinforcing his conviction that governments and individuals should never finance criminal enterprises.
He stressed that his position has not changed over the years, insisting that ransom payments only strengthen criminal networks by providing them with the financial resources to procure more weapons, recruit additional members and carry out further attacks.
"I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens," he declared.
Push for State Police
Lawal used his personal experience to renew calls for the establishment of state police, arguing that Nigeria's current security structure leaves governors with enormous responsibilities but limited authority.
He questioned the rationale behind referring to governors as "chief security officers" of their states when they have no operational control over the police and other federal security agencies responsible for maintaining law and order.
According to him, the existing arrangement creates a disconnect between public expectations and constitutional powers, making it difficult for state governments to respond effectively to security threats.
The governor maintained that creating state police would enhance accountability by giving governors direct oversight of security operations within their jurisdictions while enabling citizens to hold their elected leaders responsible for public safety.
Security as the Foundation of Development
Emphasising that no meaningful development can take place without security, Lawal said his administration has continued to invest heavily in strengthening security operations across Zamfara State despite constitutional limitations.
He disclosed that the state government currently finances more than 30 per cent of security operations within the state, providing critical logistical and operational support to security agencies.
Among the interventions, he said, are the procurement of over 500 operational vehicles for various security outfits and the recent acquisition of 35 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to enhance troop mobility and combat capabilities.
The governor also revealed that the state has introduced surveillance and attack drones to improve intelligence gathering and support ongoing operations against bandits and other criminal groups operating in Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Rejecting Ransom as Security Strategy
Lawal argued that the fight against kidnapping and banditry should focus on strengthening security institutions through adequate funding, modern technology, improved intelligence and better training rather than encouraging ransom payments.
He warned that every ransom paid to kidnappers ultimately strengthens criminal organisations and prolongs the cycle of violence affecting many parts of the country.
His comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread incidents of kidnapping for ransom, particularly across the North-West and North-Central regions, where bandit attacks have displaced thousands of residents and disrupted economic activities.
The governor's remarks also add fresh momentum to the ongoing national conversation on comprehensive security reforms, including renewed calls for state policing as a means of addressing the country's persistent security challenges.
As debates over constitutional amendments and policing reforms continue, Lawal maintained that empowering states with greater responsibility over internal security, alongside sustained investment in security infrastructure and technology, offers a more sustainable path to tackling banditry and restoring public confidence in the nation's security architecture.
