Connect with us

latest

‘I Won’t Pay A Dime’ – Zamfara Governor Reveals ₦600m Ransom Demand For Kidnapped Brothers.

Published

on

The Zamfara State Governor has reiterated his opposition to negotiating with bandits, arguing that ransom payments provide criminals with the financial resources to acquire sophisticated weapons and continue abducting innocent people.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The governor made the remarks in an interview with Nigerian Tribune on Saturday, insisting that his position against negotiating with bandits had remained unchanged since he assumed office.

He argued that paying ransom had turned kidnapping into a lucrative criminal enterprise, enabling bandits to finance further attacks.

“My stand has always been no negotiation with the bandits, from day one. And I still maintain that stand,” he said.

The governor explained that money paid to secure the release of abducted victims could be used by criminals to purchase weapons and sustain their operations.

According to him, continued ransom payments only strengthen the capacity of bandits to carry out more kidnappings and other violent crimes.

“Kidnapping people and asking for ransom is empowering the bandits. For every naira that you pay, that is what they use to acquire sophisticated weapons,” he stated.

He questioned how bandits could afford such weapons if they were unable to obtain ransom payments from the families of their victims.

The governor also revealed that he had personally experienced the trauma of kidnapping in 2025 when two of his biological brothers were abducted by bandits.

According to him, the kidnappers demanded ₦300 million for each of his brothers, bringing the total ransom demand to ₦600 million.

Despite the enormous amount demanded, the governor said he refused to pay, maintaining that he would not provide criminals with money to finance further attacks.

“It happened to me in 2025, when two of my blood brothers were kidnapped. The first thing they asked for was a ransom of ₦300 million per person. I said I was not going to pay a dime,” he disclosed.

He explained that the kidnappers had gone directly to his brothers’ homes and taken them away, questioning why he should pay money to secure their release.

“You already have these people under your custody. You came to pick them yourselves. They did not go there. They even came to their houses and picked them. And you expect me to pay money to secure their freedom? I said no. I will not do that,” he said.

The governor maintained that he was determined not to pay ransom, even when the lives of his relatives were at stake.

“I am a very strong believer that if they are meant to die within that period, they will die. Nobody will do anything. But I will not give my money to a criminal and empower him to do more,” he added.

He also questioned the effectiveness of negotiations with bandits under the previous administration, arguing that the approach had failed to produce meaningful results.

“Secondly, if you look at the history of all the negotiations that took place under the previous administration, did they yield any positive results? The answer is no,” he stated.

The governor further argued that bandit groups lacked a unified leadership structure, making it difficult to negotiate agreements that would be respected by all factions.

He explained that reaching an agreement with one group could provoke another to launch attacks in an attempt to demonstrate its influence and demand similar recognition.

“Remember, these people are not organized. If you decide to negotiate with A, another person will feel that you are underrating him. He will show you that he is also somebody to recognise. So, how do you negotiate with these kinds of people?” he asked.

He added that the absence of central leadership among the groups made it difficult to hold them accountable for agreements reached during negotiations.

“Nobody takes responsibility. Nobody takes leadership. They operate in isolation,” the governor said.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

entertainment

‘America Trained Me, But Nigeria Made Me’ – Shaffy Bello Opens Up About Her Journey.

Published

on

;Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has dismissed the idea of relocating abroad, describing Nigeria as her home and the country that has shaped her life and career.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Buzz Day, Bello made the remarks during a panel discussion titled “20+ Years in the Media: Real Talk with Kike @7,” where she declared, “America trained me, but Nigeria made me.”

Responding to a question about what could inspire hope among young Nigerians building their careers in the country, the actress said she continued to see opportunities in Nigeria despite the challenges confronting the nation.

She explained that her previous experience living in the United States had not diminished her desire to remain in Nigeria, which she considers home.

Bello said, “I pray I never get the opportunity, as they call it, to go back. Yes, you’ll say because I’ve done it before. I’ve been there before. Yes, I agree with that. But because of the opportunities that I’ve seen in this country, and I am still seeing, I don’t ever want to go back. This is home, this is where it is.”

The actress acknowledged the difficulties many Nigerians face, particularly in the areas of electricity, education and healthcare. However, she encouraged young people to focus on personal development and make the most of the opportunities available to them.

She also advised aspiring professionals to remain authentic and dedicated to their chosen fields, noting that these qualities had helped sustain her career over the years.

According to her, young people should identify their talents, develop their skills and work hard to establish themselves.

She said, “Look within yourself, what do you have to offer? What is in your hands? Whatever it is that is in your hands to offer, study, learn and prove yourself worthy of it.

“For me to be here for so many years, first of all, I have to be authentic to who I am. If you lie, you keep having to remember the lies, if you tell the truth, it’s easy.”

Bello further highlighted the importance of faith in navigating life and pursuing personal ambitions, urging young Nigerians to “hold God tight” as they work towards achieving their goals

Continue Reading

latest

Ogun 2027: PDP’s Adebutu Missing As INEC Releases Final Candidates’ List

Published

on

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election without its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, following their omission from the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A review of the commission’s portal by Daily Trust showed that the list contained 13 governorship candidates and their deputies, but did not include the PDP flagbearer and his running mate.

The final list was signed by INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and his running mate, Kudirat Abiodun Balogun, were included in the list.

Jimi Lawal, an ally of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, was also listed as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Other political parties with candidates on the list include the A, AA, ADP, APM, APP, BP, NDP, NNPP, NRM, SDP and YPP.

INEC’s omission of the PDP candidates comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election. However, the commission did not provide a reason for excluding Adebutu and Sowunmi-Kolapo from the final list.

INEC Also Omits Pantami From Gombe Governorship Candidates’ List

In a related development, INEC has also omitted the name of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, from the final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027, governorship election in Gombe State.

Pantami’s name had appeared on the provisional list released by the commission on August 29 but was missing from the final list of 16 cleared candidates.

The final list features Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Babayo Ardo Kumo of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

Other candidates cleared by INEC include Zubairu Mu’azu Halilu of the Labour Party, Lamela L. Silas of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ibrahim Jalo Abubakar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Adamu Mohammed Ma’aji of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others.

The commission has not stated why Pantami’s name was excluded from the final list.

Continue Reading

latest

2027 Election: INEC Clears Wike’s Ally, Chinda, For Rivers Governorship Race.

Published

on

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared Kingsley Chinda, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Chinda, a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, previously belonged to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before emerging as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the forthcoming governorship election.

His emergence as the APC candidate attracted attention among political stakeholders, particularly because reports of his defection to the ruling party had not received widespread publicity.

The development also drew scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s decision to restore Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. The provisions address party membership registers and restrict political parties from presenting candidates who do not meet the stipulated membership registration requirements.

However, Chinda’s name appeared at number five on the 19-man list of candidates released by INEC on Saturday.

ADC Chieftain Questions Legality Of Chinda’s Candidacy

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has challenged the APC to clarify the legal status of Chinda’s candidacy.

Eze questioned whether Chinda’s name was included in the verified APC membership register submitted to INEC within the legally prescribed period.

He made the remarks in response to the Supreme Court’s recent judgment affirming the validity of Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.

The ADC chieftain described the ruling as an important judicial reaffirmation that political parties must comply with the law when conducting their internal electoral processes.

Section 77(5) stipulates that only party members whose names appear in the membership register submitted to INEC within the required period may participate in the relevant party exercise. Section 77(6) also prohibits the use of a different membership register for such an exercise.

In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, Eze argued that the central issue was no longer political propaganda but compliance with the law.

His challenge places renewed attention on whether Chinda’s emergence as the APC candidate satisfies the membership registration requirements upheld by the Supreme Court.

Continue Reading

Trending