In a startling and defiant revelation, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal recently disclosed his steadfast refusal to pay a whopping N300 million ransom demanded for his abducted brothers in 2019. Speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, Governor Lawal recounted the harrowing ordeal, asserting that his decision was rooted in a firm conviction: never to embolden criminals by negotiating or making payments.
A Personal Ordeal, A Principled Stand
The governor’s stance is not merely theoretical; it stems from a deeply personal experience. In 2019, his own brothers were taken captive, and their abductors demanded a staggering N300 million for their release. Faced with immense pressure, Governor Lawal stood his ground. “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,” he declared, showcasing an extraordinary level of resolve.
This unwavering position, he explained, was a conscious choice to disrupt the economics of kidnapping. Lawal believes that every ransom payment serves as an incentive for criminal syndicates to continue their nefarious activities, perpetuating a cycle of fear and violence across the nation.
Defying Expectations: Release Without Payment
Remarkably, despite Governor Lawal’s refusal to engage in negotiations or provide any payment, his brothers were eventually released after approximately three months in captivity. This outcome, he stated, only solidified his belief that withholding ransom payments can indeed discourage abductors and weaken criminal networks.
“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to be kidnapping people more and more,” Lawal emphasized. He argued that when criminals realize they cannot extract money from victims’ families or the government, the motivation for engaging in such heinous crimes diminishes significantly.
A Consistent Policy for a Safer Zamfara
Governor Lawal reaffirmed that his position remains resolute and unchanged. He is committed to a no-negotiation, no-ransom policy, regardless of the circumstances. “I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens,” he stated unequivocally.
Beyond his personal experience, the governor utilized the platform to reiterate his call for the establishment of state police. He views this as a crucial component of a broader strategy to effectively combat the rampant insecurity, particularly kidnapping, that plagues Zamfara State and other parts of Nigeria.