Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has reaffirmed his opposition to paying ransom to kidnappers, saying such payments only empower criminals and encourage further abductions.
Gatekeepers News reports that Lawal stated this during a media chat on Monday, where he maintained that his administration would not support negotiations with kidnappers terrorising residents across the state.
The governor said previous attempts at negotiating with criminals had failed to produce meaningful results.
He recalled the abduction of his brothers in 2025, saying he had refused to pay ransom despite pressure from within the family.
“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,” Lawal said.
According to him, the kidnappers eventually reduced their demands after negotiations failed to yield payment.
“Eventually, they (kidnappers) 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.”
Banditry, Abductions Persist in Zamfara
Lawal’s position comes amid continued attacks, abductions and other security challenges 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.
The following month, suspected bandits attacked Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in Anka LGA, reportedly killing 30 people and abducting several others. Eleven people 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.
Days later, security forces said they had killed more than 30 suspected bandits during a counter-offensive in Tsafe.
In May, an improvised explosive device exploded along the Bagega-Anka road, killing six people and injuring six others. Suspected terrorists also reportedly ambushed travellers along the Magami-Dansadau road, with several people feared killed or abducted.
The violence continued in June and July, with 39 residents abducted during a reconciliation mission in Maradun and seven students kidnapped in Kaura Namoda.
In July, the chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area was abducted after terrorists attacked his residence, killing two policemen, a vigilante and a civilian.
As recently as September, troops rescued 41 travellers who had been abducted after their commercial bus broke down along the Tsafe-Funtua Road.
The incident underscored the continuing security challenges on major routes across the state.
Despite the attacks, Lawal said his administration was working to improve the state’s security response, particularly in areas such as Tsafe that have continued to experience attacks.
