Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has emphasized that he will never engage in negotiations or pay ransoms to kidnappers or other criminals.
As reported by Punch on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Lawal recalled that his brothers were abducted in 2019, with the kidnappers demanding approximately 300 million naira for their release. Despite the high stakes, he refused to meet their demands.
He stated clearly that he informed the captors he would not pay any amount, even if they chose to harm his brothers. After three months in captivity, his brothers were ultimately freed without any ransom being paid.
Lawal stressed that giving in to such demands only fuels further criminal activity, making others more vulnerable to abduction..Click to Continue/Video>>