Dauda Lawal, the Governor of Zamfara State, has disclosed that he refused to pay a ₦300 million ransom after his brothers were abducted by kidnappers in 2019, insisting that yielding to criminal demands only fuels more kidnappings.

Speaking on Thursday at the ARISE News and THISDAY Town Hall Conference in Abuja, Lawal said he told the abductors they could kill his brothers because he would not negotiate or pay any ransom. According to him, the victims were eventually released after spending three months in captivity without any payment being made.

The governor maintained that ending ransom payments would discourage kidnappers and reduce the wave of abductions across the country.

Lawal also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, arguing that governors should have operational control over security agencies if they are to be held accountable for protecting lives and property.

He noted that despite being referred to as chief security officers of their states, governors currently lack authority over the police. He added that the Zamfara State Government has invested heavily in security by providing vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, surveillance and attack drones, while funding more than 30 percent of security operations in the state.

Lawal stressed that better funding, training, technology, and stronger security institutions—not negotiations with criminals—remain the most effective way to tackle banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria.