Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal says bandits kidnapped his brothers in 2019 and demanded about ₦300 million ransom for their release. Lawal said he refused to pay any amount, adding that he told the kidnappers to kill his brothers if they wished. He made the remarks in Abuja on Thursday, where he also reiterated that he would not negotiate with bandits. Multiple outlets report that Lawal’s position is based on the view that paying ransom would encourage further kidnapping and other criminal activities. The reporting also links his comments to broader discussions on internal security, including calls for reforms to policing arrangements in the state. Premium Times notes that experts and politicians were discussing state police as Lawal spoke, while other outlets focus directly on his disclosure of the ransom demand and his refusal. Across the accounts, the key details are consistent: the kidnapping involved Lawal’s brothers, the ransom figure is ₦300 million, and the governor publicly states he will not pay or negotiate with the abductors.