I Paid ‘Bad Boys’ Equivalent of Today’s N2m Each Monthly As Gov to Keep Peace in Anambra – Ngige

~ Asks Soludo to do same

By Our Correspondent

Former Anambra State Governor and immediate past Minister for Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has revealed that he paid “bad boys” in the state the equivalent of today’s N2 million each monthly to keep Anambra peaceful during his reign as governor.

Ngige made this disclosure shortly after being conferred with a chieftaincy title by the Traditional Ruler of Nnewi Community, Igwe Kenneth Orizu, in Nnewi North Local Government Area.

The former governor also called for increased funding for security operatives at all levels, as well as the provision of more equipment and logistics for their operations.

“When I was the Governor of Anambra State, I adopted kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to enhance security.

“I mobilized the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) with equipment, including communication gadgets, because at that time, you could hardly contact Onitsha or Ihiala from Awka. There was no communication then.”

He emphasized the need for increased funding for security at all levels, stating that spending more money on equipment and logistics for security agencies would help bring security under control.

Regarding the non-kinetic approach, Ngige explained: “We reached out to all the bad boys and offered jobs to those who wanted to work. We paid them N30,000 monthly at that time. That N30,000 is worth about N2 million now. Those who refused to turn a new leaf were taken out kinetically.”

Ngige emphasized the need to provide employment and skills to young men, stating: “So, what I am saying is that we have to provide employment to the young men. We equip them with skills. A lot of them do not have hope for the future, and that is why the bad people find them easy to recruit.

“The government should go into competition with the non-state actors in recruiting these boys. If you recruit them and pay them well, you have tamed kidnapping.”

He expressed support for Governor Charles Soludo’s decision to use kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to tackle insecurity in the state.

Soludo had earlier announced the use of these approaches during the commissioning of the Operation Udo Ga Di security operations.

Igwe Orizu described Ngige as an illustrious son of Anambra State, praising his achievements in public office, particularly in road construction during his tenure as governor.

Ngige, who was conferred with the title of Otiwalu-Uzo (meaning trailblazer) due to his road construction efforts, said: “I waited until I finished active public service as a Minister before taking this title. But the good thing is that my name has been on the nominal roll since 2007. So, I am an old Ichie (High Chief).”

He highlighted his administration’s road construction projects in Nnewi, including the construction of roads from Adazi to Nnewi, Nnewi to Ihembosi, Ozubulu, and Okija. Ngige also mentioned the reconstruction of dilapidated roads, such as Bank Road and 100 Foot Road, and the awarding of the contract for the Onitsha-Oba-Nnewi road before leaving office.

The former minister maintained that he merited the title given to him by the people of Nnewi, considering his exploits in road construction during his tenure as governor.