Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has reiterated his opposition to the payment of ransom to kidnappers, insisting that giving money to criminals only strengthens their operations.
Lawal stated this on Monday during a media chat, where he maintained that his administration would not support negotiations that involve paying ransom to kidnappers.
The governor said his position was informed by his experience following the abduction of his brothers, Yusuf and Amba, in 2025.
Recalling the incident, Lawal said the kidnappers eventually became frustrated after the family refused to meet their financial demands.
“You know, there are certain hard decisions you must take as a leader of the family… and I made it clear that this is my stand, but if anybody feels otherwise, he is free to go and pay and bring Yusuf and Amba back,” he said.
According to him, the kidnappers later reduced their demand to a ₦150,000 recharge card, but he still refused to provide any money.
“Eventually, they got tired, and the last thing they asked for then, I think, was a ₦150,000 recharge card, and even that I said I was not going to pay.
Somebody from the family should do that because I made a commitment that I will never put a dime to a criminal,” Lawal added.
The governor argued that ransom payments could embolden criminals and perpetuate the cycle of abductions and violence.
His position comes amid persistent attacks by bandits and other criminal groups across Zamfara State.
In January, five soldiers and a police inspector were killed when suspected bandits ambushed security personnel along the Kwatarkwashi axis in Bungudu Local Government Area.
A month later, 30 people were reportedly killed while several others were abducted during an attack on Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in Anka LGA.
Eleven others were also confirmed killed in an attack on Ware community in Tsafe LGA.
In April, suspected bandits attacked Kurfa community in Bukkuyum LGA and abducted an unspecified number of residents.
Security forces later reported killing more than 30 suspected bandits during a counter-operation in Tsafe.
The violence persisted in May when an improvised explosive device detonated along the Bagega-Anka road, killing six people and injuring six others.
Travellers were also attacked along the Magami-Dansadau road, with several people feared killed or abducted.
In June and July, 39 residents were abducted during a reconciliation mission in Maradun, while seven students were kidnapped in Kaura Namoda.
The chairman of Bungudu LGA was also abducted in July after terrorists attacked his residence, killing two policemen, a vigilante member and a civilian.
More recently, troops rescued 41 travellers who were abducted after their commercial bus reportedly broke down along the Tsafe-Funtua Road.
Amid the continuing security challenges, Lawal said his administration was working to improve the response of security agencies to attacks, particularly in vulnerable areas such as Tsafe.
The governor maintained that strengthening security operations, rather than paying ransom, remained the preferred approach to tackling abductions and banditry in the state.
