The Nigerian Army has declared that no fewer than 97 people are wanted for being responsible for insurgency, terrorism and other violent crimes in the country.
The wanted persons include terrorists, bandit leaders and other insurgents, causing mayhem in the North and other parts of the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, released the names and pictures of those declared wanted on Friday.
The names and pictures included terrorists from the North East and North West as well as insurgents in the South East and North Central.
In the North West zone, which has been affected by banditry, a total of 43 individuals were declared wanted, including 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.
It is important to note that Bello Turji is a notorious Nigerian terrorist and bandit leader who is operating particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states. Turji led a bandit gang in the 2022 Zamfara massacres, almost 200 people including women and children were killed.
Turj, born in Shinkafi local government of Zamfara State, claimed that the oppression of Fulani in his locality was the reason for picking up arms.
He asserted that security concerns in Nigeria have been politicized and criticizes the unequal treatment of ethnic groups by the government. He emphasizes a perception of discrimination against the Fulani ethnic group by the media, alleging that incidents involving the killing of innocent Fulanis are not adequately reported. His primary desire is for peace to prevail throughout the country.
In the North East, which has been affected by Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province terrorists, 33 individuals were declared wanted, some of whom 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.
Additionally, a total of 21 insurgents and violent criminals were declared wanted in the southeast and North Central area, including 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.
Simon Ekpa who is notable among the terrorists declared wanted in the South-East is a self-acclaimed disciple of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in detention over alleged terrorism.
Ekpa is a Nigerian-Finnish lawyer, political activist, and former athlete, born on March 21, 1985, in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
In 2003, Ekpa won a silver medal for Nigeria in 100 metres at the African Junior Athletics Championships in Cameroon. He has been living in Lahti, Finland since 2007. He is a member of the National Coalition Party of Finland and was a candidate in the 2022 Finnish county elections.
Ekpa gained visibility after he became the lead broadcaster for Radio Biafra after the arrest of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He was later relieved of his duty after he was said to have breached the organistaion’s rules.
The separatist agitator was known for allegedly inciting violence in south-eastern Nigeria through his broadcasts and sit-at-home orders.
The sit-at-home order harmed the socioeconomic activities of the Southeast region as banks, schools, markets, and every other economic activity were being shut down weekly. It has also been said to have caused physiological suffering to the citizens as well as trauma of prolonged separation from loved ones.
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