Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has reaffirmed that his administration will not engage in negotiations with bandits or pay ransom to criminals involved in kidnapping activities.
The governor made the declaration on Thursday during a town hall discussion on state police, where he explained that paying ransom only encourages criminals to continue carrying out abductions.
Lawal recalled that his own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, with the abductors demanding a ransom of ₦300 million. He said he refused to give in to their demands, insisting that rewarding kidnappers financially would only strengthen criminal activities.
The governor stated that he told the kidnappers he would not pay any money, even if they threatened to harm his family members, because continuing the practice of ransom payment would encourage more attacks.
He maintained that authorities must adopt stronger measures to tackle insecurity rather than creating incentives for criminal groups.
Lawal also expressed his administration’s commitment to supporting the establishment and operation of state police as part of efforts to improve security and combat criminal activities in Zamfara State.
