The Defence Headquarters has declared top self-proclaimed leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, wanted. Ekpa was among the 97 persons declared wanted for various crimes against the Nigerian State by the apex military body. Others declared wanted are terrorists and insurgents who are allegedly behind violent crimes in the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed the names and pictures of the people they declared wanted last Friday.
Unlike in November 2022 when the military declared no fewer than 19 bandits’ leaders wanted with a bounty of N5 million on each of them to encourage Nigerians to volunteer information that could lead to their arrest, no bounty was placed on the 97 persons declared wanted this time around.
The names and pictures contained terrorists from the North East and North West as well as violent agitators in the Southeast and North Central.
A total of 43 persons were declared wanted in North West Zone among whom are Alhaji Shingi, Malindi Yakubu, Boka, Dogo Gide, Halilu Sububu, Ado Aliero, Bello Turji, Dan Bokkolo, Labi Yadi, Nagala, Saidu Idris, Kachalla Rugga and Sani Gurgu.
In the North East ravaged by Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province terrorists, 33 persons were declared wanted. Some of them are Abu Zaida, Modu Sulum, Baba Data, Ahmad, Sani Teacher, Baa Sadiq, Abdul Saad, Kaka Abi, Mohammad Khalifa, Umar Tella, Abu Mutahid, Mallam Mohammad, Mallam Tahiru Baga, Uzaiya and Ali Ngule.
Also, a total of 21 violent criminals were declared wanted in the Southeast and North Central areas.They are Simon Ekpa, Chika Edoziem, Egede, Zuma, ThankGod, Gentle, Flavour, Mathew, David Ndubuisi, High Chief Williams Agbo, Ebuka Nwaka, Friday Ojimka, Obiemesi Chukwudi aka Dan Chuk, David Ezekwem Chidiebube, Amobi Chinonso Okafor aka Temple, among others.
