The Zamfara State overnor Dauda Lawal, has denied knowing a kidnap victim who claimed under duress to be the governor’s brother.
The kidnappers—who are suspected bandits—released a short video clip where they were interrogating two men with a background voice asking one of the victims about his relationship with “Dauda.”
“I am Dauda’s younger brother,” the man said. The kidnap victim was flanked by two armed bandits. “We are biological brothers, the same father and mother.” he added.
He was then ordered to plead with the governor to send “what (ransom) we asked for.” The bandits threatened to kill him if the ransom was not paid.
The two men were kidnapped on their way to a bakery in the area, in Kucheri, a village in the Tsafe LGA. This area is where bandit groups of notorious Ado Aliero, Dogo Gide and other kingpins operate from and terrorise locals.
However, the governor, Mr Lawal, has denied having any family tie with the victim in a statement by his spokesperson, Suleiman Idris. The governor said he has only one sibling, a woman.
Mr Lawal described the incident as a “new ploy by bandits to gain attention and bolster sagging morale of their members.”
The governor stated that effort is being made to rescue the victims.
“The government is currently taking steps to ensure the victims’ safe rescue and to reunite them with their families,” the statement read.
