By Uzair Adam
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has disclosed that he rejected a N300 million ransom demand made by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, insisting that paying criminals would only encourage further kidnappings.
The governor made the revelation on Thursday while speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Town Hall Conference in Abuja, where he also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
Recounting the incident, Lawal said the abductors demanded N300 million for the release of his brothers, but he refused to negotiate or pay any ransom.
“My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals were demanding about N300 million. I said, ‘I’m not going to pay a dime. If you like, go and kill them.'”
He explained that despite his refusal to meet the kidnappers’ demand, his brothers were eventually freed after spending about three months in captivity.
The governor said the experience strengthened his belief that ransom payments only empower criminal groups and encourage more abductions.
“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to keep kidnapping more and more people,” he said.
Lawal maintained that he would never negotiate with criminals or reward them financially, regardless of the circumstances.
“I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens.”
The governor made the remarks while advocating the creation of state police, arguing that governors cannot be held fully accountable for security when they lack operational control over security agencies in their states.
He noted that although governors are regarded as chief security officers of their states, they have no constitutional authority to direct the operations of the police and other security agencies.
“In as much as I am being called the chief security officer of the state, I don’t have the command and control structure to determine what happens or give instructions to some of these security officers,” he said.
According to Lawal, the current arrangement places governors in a difficult position because they are blamed for insecurity despite lacking the authority to coordinate security operations.
He stressed that protecting lives and property remains the primary responsibility of every government, adding that meaningful development cannot be achieved without adequate security.
“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.
Lawal argued that establishing state police would improve accountability, as governors would have direct oversight of security operations and could be judged by residents based on their performance.
He added that state governments would also be better positioned to recruit, equip, train and fund security personnel according to their unique security needs.
The governor further observed that the Nigeria Police Force continues to face challenges such as inadequate funding, poor welfare and insufficient training, which have affected its effectiveness.
Highlighting his administration’s investment in security, Lawal disclosed that the Zamfara State Government currently finances more than 30 per cent of security operations within the state.
He said the government has procured over 500 operational vehicles for security agencies in the past three years and recently handed over 35 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to strengthen the fight against banditry.
Lawal also revealed that the state has acquired both surveillance and combat drones to support security operations.
“We bought drones, both surveillance drones and attack drones, to aid the security forces in fighting these criminals in their respective areas,” he said.
The governor maintained that Nigeria’s insecurity can only be effectively addressed through improved funding, better welfare, enhanced training and the deployment of modern technology, rather than negotiating or paying ransom to criminal groups.
His comments come amid renewed national debate over the establishment of state police and broader reforms aimed at improving security across the country.