Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State, has stated that that he will never negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers or any other criminals
According to a report by Punch on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Lawal said in 2019 his brothers were kidnapped. He said the kidnappers demanded about 300 million naira ransom, but he refused to pay any money.
Lawal stated that he told the kidnappers he would not pay a dime, even if they decided to kill his brothers. He said his brothers were eventually released after spending three months in captivity without any ransom being paid.
Lawal stated that he strongly believes that paying ransom only encourages criminals to continue kidnapping more people.
In Lawal’s words: “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….See More