Terrorism: Simon Ekpa And 96 Others Declared Wanted By DHQ

Simon Ekpa, the factional head of the IPOB, which is banned, has been designated as sought by the Defence Headquarters

Ekpa and ninety-six other people were listed as wanted on Friday, March 22, for acts of terrorism, violent extremism, and threats of secession against the government.

The identities and images of those deemed wanted in Abuja on Friday night were verified by Major Gen. Edwaed Buba, Director of Defense Media Operations.

These four zones are home to wanted individuals, terrorists/bandits, and rebel commanders: North East, North West, North Central, and South East.

Alongside Mr. Ekpa, another Biafra agitator named Chika Edoziem was also declared wanted. Both individuals were followers of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who is under proscription.

They are among the 21 violent offenders in the South-East geopolitical zone who have been labeled sought.

The DHQ also declared 97 additional people sought for terrorism, kidnapping, and other offenses, including Messrs. Ekpa and Edoziem.

Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, director of defense, media operations, unveiled a poster on Saturday in Abuja that featured the images and names of those who are wanted.

There was no bounty set for the 97 people who were listed as wanted.

The military issued a N5 million bounty on the heads of 19 bandits who were considered wanted in the North-West in 2022.

Although it is unclear if individuals listed as wanted in 2022 have been apprehended or slain, names like Bello Turji and Halilu Babubu remain on the list that was made public on Saturday.

43 people were listed as sought by the DHQ in the Northwest in relation to banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

Shingi, Malindi Yakubu, Ado Aliero, Bello Turji, Dan Bokkolo, Labi Yadi, Nagala, Saidu Idris, Kachalla Rugga, and Sani Gurgu are a few among them.

It announced that 33 terrorists from Boko Haram and the Islamic State-West Africa Province (ISWAP) were sought in the northeast.

Modu Sulum, Baba Data, Ahmad, Sani Teacher, Baa Sadiq, Abdul Saad, Kaka Abi, Abu Mutahid, Malam Mohammad, Umar Tella, Abu Mutahid, Malam Tahiru Baga, Uzaiya, and Ali Ngule are a few of them.

Some identified as Egede, Zuma, ThankGod, Gentle, Flavour, Mathew; High Chief Williams Agbor, Ebuka Nwaka, Obiemesi Chukwudi, alias Dan Chuk, David Chidiebube, and Amobi Okafor, alias Temple, were among those declared wanted in the Southeast.

Public information about the sought individual should be reported by calling 090488450750, 09071230344, 08167291448, 09135783469, 09127140930, and 08146691704, according to the DHQ.