The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has opposed paying ransom to kidnappers, explaining that paying ransom will further encourage the criminals to see such illegality as lucrative job, and will not stop their activities.
Penpushing reports that Lawal made this known while featuring on a television programme, recalling that when his brothers were kidnapped in 2019 and the abductors demanded N300 million he told them in clear terms that he was not ready to pay.
The Governor added that he declared to the kidnappers that if they like they can kill the abductees rather than pay N300million as ransom, adding that the kidnappers subsequently released the victims after three months
“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 kill them’, he said.
Penpushing further reports that Lawal pointed out that he took a hard stance against the kidnappers despite the personal cost, adding that negotiating with criminals only encourages more abductions
“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to be kidnapping people more and more. I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens’,” he declared.
Penpushing also reports that the Governor stressed when others take to his own position of not paying ransom, he believed criminals would think twice about abducting people if ransom payments stopped.
The Governor added that his position on ransom payments had not changed, however, argued for the establishment of state police, saying governors should be given operational control over security in their states if they are to be held accountable for protecting lives and property.
Penpushing reports that Lawal pointed out that one of his frustrations as governor is being described as the state’s chief security officer without having authority over security agencies.
“In as much as I was called or I’m being called the chief security officer of the states, however, I don’t have the command-and-control structure to determine what happens or give instructions to some of these security officers’, he said.
Penpushing further reports that Lawal said security remains the foundation of development and questioned how governors could be held responsible for insecurity when they lacked control over policing.
“Why is it difficult for people to understand that my primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property, and I don’t have that control? How do you hold me accountable?” he asked.
The governor said state police would enable citizens to hold elected leaders directly responsible for security outcomes, while also allowing states to provide adequate funding and training for personnel.
Penpushing also reports that he argued that the Nigeria Police Force suffers from inadequate funding, insufficient training and poor welfare, factors he said affect officers’ effectiveness and commitment.
The governor stated that to support his argument, explained that Zamfara State has invested heavily in security operations, disclosing that his administration funds more than 30 per cent of security activities in the state.
Penpushing reports that he disclosed that the state had procured over 500 vehicles for security agencies in the last three years and recently provided 35 Armoured Personnel Carriers and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to support security operations.
“We bought drones, both surveillance drones and attack drones, to be able to aid the security forces in terms of fighting these criminals in their respective areas,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that he maintained that strengthening security agencies through funding, training and technology, rather than negotiating with armed groups, remained the best way to tackle banditry and kidnapping.
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