I refused to pay N300m ransom, told kidnappers to k!ll my abducted brothers – Zamfara Governor

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal 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 criminals rather than encourage the growing menace of kidnapping for ransom.

Lawal said his decision was based on his conviction that paying ransom only emboldens criminal groups to continue abducting innocent people.

The governor disclosed this on Thursday, July 9, 2026 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 said, look, I’m not going to pay a dime. If you like, go and k!ll them.”

According to him, despite his refusal to pay, the kidnappers eventually released his brothers after they spent about three months in captivity.

Lawal maintained that his experience reinforced his belief that ransom payments only strengthen criminal networks and fuel more abductions.

“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to be kidnapping people more and more,” he said 

He argued that if kidnappers realise they cannot obtain money from victims’ families or governments, they would be discouraged from engaging in the crime.

The governor stressed that his position has remained unchanged over the years, insisting that he would never negotiate with or reward criminals.

“I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens.”