Governor Dauda Lawal has shared a personal experience with kidnapping. The Zamfara State governor said his family refused to pay a ₦300 million ransom demanded for the release of his brothers.
GUSAU, ZAMFARA STATE — Governor Dauda Lawal has revealed that his brothers were kidnapped in 2019 and that their abductors demanded ₦300 million for their release. Speaking during a recent public engagement, the governor said his family declined to pay the ransom, adding that his brothers regained their freedom about three months later.
Why He Shared the Experience
According to Dauda Lawal, the incident shaped his views on the growing challenge of kidnapping and ransom payments in Nigeria.
He said paying ransom encourages criminal groups and makes the security challenge more difficult to address.
What Dauda Lawal Said
Speaking about the incident, Dauda Lawal said:
“In 2019, my brothers were kidnapped and ₦300 million was demanded. I told them to kill them if they like, because we can’t continue paying ransoms.”
He added:
“Three months later, they were released for free.”
The governor made the remarks while discussing insecurity and the need for stronger measures to tackle kidnapping.
Who Is Dauda Lawal?
Dauda Lawal is the Governor of Zamfara State. He assumed office in 2023 and has identified the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other security threats as key priorities of his administration.
Zamfara remains one of the states most affected by armed bandit attacks and kidnappings in northwestern Nigeria.
What This Means for Nigeria
The development means the debate over ransom payments is likely to continue as governments and security experts seek lasting solutions to kidnapping. While some families choose to negotiate for the safe return of loved ones, authorities have repeatedly discouraged ransom payments, arguing that they can strengthen criminal networks and encourage further abductions.
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