Defence Headquarters has declared 97 persons wanted for their alleged involvement in terrorism and insurgency.
Top on the list is the factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), Simon Ekpa.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General. Edward Buba, confirmed the names and pictures of the wanted persons to PUNCH newspaper on Friday.
Unlike in November 2022 when the military declared no fewer than 19 terrorists and bandit leaders wanted with a bounty of N5million 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.
The name of those declared wanted were segmented on regional basis – North East and North West as well as insurgents in the South East and North Central.
A total of 21 Insurgents and violent criminals were declared wanted in the South East and North Central geopolitical zones.
Those declared wanted in the South East 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.
A total of 43 persons were declared wanted in North West Zone ravaged by terrorism and banditry. They include 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 .