In a renewed bid to rein in terrorists across the country, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has released pictures of 97 terrorists and armed bandits declared wanted in the country, promising that their banner will also be displayed across the country.
This came as the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri on Friday rescued 78 persons, comprising 35 women and 43 children held hostage by the terrorists in Borno State.
The military high command, in a war update issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) Maj Gen Edward Buba, said the wanted persons include terrorists, insurgents, and armed bandits among others, who are behind violent crimes in the country.
They include the factional leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa.
A total of 43 persons were declared wanted in the North-west zone ravaged by banditry. They 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 where terror groups, Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists operate, 33 persons were declared wanted.
They include: Abu Zaida, Modu Sulum, Baba Data, Ahmad, Sani Teacher, Baa Sadiq, Abdul Saad, Kaka Abij Mohammad Khalifa, Umar Tella, Abu Mutahid, Mallam Mohammad, Mallam Tahiru Baga, Uzaiya and Ali Ngule.
Also, a total of 21 insurgents and violent criminals were declared wanted in the South-east and North-central.
They are Ekpa, Chika Edoziem, Egede, Zuma, ThankGod, Gentle, Flavour, Mathew, David Ndubuisi, High Chief Williams Agbor, Ebuka Nwaka, Friday Ojimka, Obiemesi Chukwudi a.k.a Dan Chuk, David Ezekwem Chidiebube and Amobi Chinonso Okafor a.ka. Temple, among others.
“Indeed, to curb the freedom of action of terrorists and the perpetrators of insecurity across the country. The military has released a banner of wanted terrorists and their cohorts.
“The banners would be deployed in strategic areas across the country. The deployment of the banner is for ease of recognition and arrest of the wanted persons,” the statement further said.
A separate statement issued by Army Spokesman, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops rescued 16 abducted school children in Sokoto and 78 persons, comprising 35 women and 43 children held hostage by the terrorists in the North-east, even as the manhunt for the killers of 18 military personnel by militants in Delta State was being intensified.
Kingsley Nwezeh and Sylvester Idowu
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