Zamfara State Government Denies Abducted Men Claiming to Be Governor’s Brothers
The Zamfara State Government has denied reports that two abducted men seen in a viral video are siblings of Governor Dauda Lawal.
In a statement issued on Monday, the government described the claims as false and a deliberate attempt by terrorists to spread propaganda and gain sympathy.
The video, which surfaced online over the weekend, showed two blindfolded men being coerced by armed bandits to claim they are Governor Lawal’s younger brothers. In the footage, the victims pleaded with “Dauda” to pay ransom to secure their release, as their captors threatened to kill them if the payment was not made.
Governor Lawal, through his spokesperson Sulaiman Bala Idris, dismissed the video as a fabrication. He stated categorically that he has only one sibling, a sister, and no male siblings as portrayed in the footage.
“The attention of the Zamfara State Government has been drawn to a video clip circulating on social media platforms, in which two kidnapped victims claimed to be siblings of the Governor.
This is false and a desperate tactic by terrorists to attract public sympathy,” the statement read.
The government said the video was part of a wider campaign of misinformation orchestrated by bandits to regain control and influence after suffering recent setbacks in ongoing military operations.
One of the key losses for the terrorists was the death of Yellow Danbokolo, a top commander under the notorious terror kingpin Bello Turji, along with more than 170 fighters.
According to the statement, the bandits are using propaganda to manipulate emotions, pressure the state government into negotiations, and distract from the renewed offensive being carried out by security forces across Zamfara State and other parts of the northwest.
Independent fact-checks conducted by national media outlets, including Premium Times, Punch, and Leadership, have all confirmed that the abducted men are not related to the governor.
The government reiterated its commitment to securing the release of all kidnapped persons without yielding to the demands of terrorists. It called on members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information capable of aiding criminal elements.
Efforts by security agencies to rescue the victims are ongoing, as authorities continue to track the perpetrators and dismantle remaining terrorist hideouts in the region.
