Defence HQ, however, did not place bounty on the 97 persons declared wanted like it did in 2022, when it declared about 19 bandit leaders wanted
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has declared no fewer than 97 persons wanted, following the deteriorating security situation across the country.
Those wanted by the military include terrorists, bandit leaders and other insurgents causing mayhem in the North and other parts of Nigeria.
This was made known by the Director, Defence Media Operations of the organization, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, who confirmed the names and pictures of the wanted persons on Friday.
The long list contained names of terrorists from the North East and North West as well as insurgents in the South East and North Central.
Also wanted is the factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, and some of his men.
ALSO READ: Police bust kidnappers’ den in Lagos, arrest Nine, recover 3 PoS
A total of 43 persons were declared wanted in North West Zone ravaged by banditry, among which 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 by Defence HQ.
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 .
Another 21 Insurgents and violent criminals from the Southeast and North Central were also declared wanted.
They include Simon Ekpa, Chika Edoziem, Egede; Zuma, ThankGod, Gentle, Flavour, Mathew, David Ndubuisi, High Chief Williams Agbor, Ebuka Nwaka, Friday Ojimka, Obiemesi Chukwudi aka Dan Chuk, David Ezekwem Chidiebube and Amobi Chinonso Okafor aka Temple among others.
However, unlike what transpired in November 2022, when the Defence HQ. declared no fewer than 19 bandit leaders wanted with a bounty of N5m on each of them to encourage Nigerians to volunteer information that could lead to their arrest, this time around, no bounty was placed on the 97 persons declared wanted.