The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja has declared a factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa and 96 others from various parts of the country wanted.
In a banner displaying the pictures of the suspects, the DHQ said it declared the 97 persons wanted for terrorism, violent extremism and secessionist threats against the country.
Most prominent among the wanted persons is Ekpa who is controlling a faction of IPOB and has been credited with the declaration of the notorious Monday sit-at-home in the South-East zone.
The Director, Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba, confirmed the names and pictures of the people declared wanted.
The wanted persons, terrorists/ bandits and insurgents’ commanders are from the North East, North West, North Central and South-East zones.
A breakdown of the wanted persons shows that 43 were declared wanted in North-West Zone facing bandit attacks, and kidnapping among others.
Some names from the zone include bandits/terrorists’ leaders such as 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, 33 persons were declared wanted and they include terrorists’ commanders such as 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.
In the North-Central and South-East, 21 insurgents/militants and violent criminals were equally declared wanted including IPOB’s Simon Ekpa, Chika Edoziem, Egede, Zuma, ThankGod Gentle, Flavour, Mathew, David Ndubuisi, High Chief Williams Agbor, Ebuka Nwaka and Friday Ojimka.
Others in the South East are Obiemesi Chukwudi aka Dan Chuk, David Ezekwem Chidiebube and Amobi Chinonso Okafor aka Temple.
In February last year, days before the general elections, Ekpa was arrested in Finland where he resides after threatening that the elections would not hold in the South-East.
Ekpa was arrested by the police in his residence in the Lahti area of the country.
He was later released and has since been very active on social media where he posts his pro-Biafran messages.
