Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has revealed that he refused to pay a ransom of three hundred million naira when his brothers were kidnapped in 2019, insisting that negotiating with criminals only fuels further abductions.
The governor made the disclosure during the ARISE News and THISDAY Town Hall Conference in Abuja while speaking on Nigeria’s security challenges and the need for state police.
According to Lawal, the kidnappers demanded three hundred million naira for the release of his brothers, but he declined to make any payment despite the risks involved.
He said his brothers eventually regained their freedom after spending about three months in captivity without any ransom being paid.
The governor maintained that ransom payments encourage criminal groups to continue kidnapping innocent citizens and insisted that he would not negotiate with kidnappers under any circumstances.
Lawal argued that one of the major obstacles to tackling insecurity is the limited authority of governors over security agencies operating within their states.
He noted that although governors are often referred to as chief security officers of their states, they do not have operational control over security personnel.
The governor said this situation makes it difficult for elected leaders to be fully accountable for security outcomes despite being blamed whenever attacks occur.
Lawal used the opportunity to renew his support for the establishment of state police, saying decentralised policing would improve accountability and strengthen local security responses.
He argued that state governments would be in a better position to fund, train and supervise security personnel if granted greater control over policing.
Highlighting efforts by his administration, Lawal disclosed that Zamfara State has invested heavily in supporting security operations.
He said the state government has procured hundreds of vehicles for security agencies and recently provided armoured personnel carriers and mine-resistant vehicles to strengthen operations against bandits.
The governor also disclosed that the state had acquired surveillance and attack drones to support intelligence gathering and security operations.
Lawal maintained that improved funding, better training, enhanced technology and stronger security institutions remain the most effective tools for combating kidnapping and banditry across the country.
