Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has revealed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, saying he chose not to negotiate with the criminals rather than encourage the growing menace of kidnapping for ransom.
The governor said his decision was based on his conviction that paying ransom only emboldens criminal groups to continue abducting innocent people.
Lawal made the disclosure on Thursday while speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, where he also renewed his call for the establishment of state police as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
Recounting the ordeal, the governor said the kidnappers demanded N300 million for the release of his brothers, but he refused to negotiate or make any payment.
“My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals were demanding at the time about 300 million. And I
