Finland-based Simon Ekpa, 96 Others Declared Wanted for Terrorism

In a bid to curtail and combat terrorism and other violent crimes going on in the country, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters recently declared 97 persons wanted.

Among these persons, Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based figure and self-acclaimed disciple of the detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has garnered notable attention. Ekpa, who holds the title of Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile (BRGIE), is now officially on the wanted list.

This declaration was confirmed by Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, during a briefing with The PUNCH. The list spans across several regions of Nigeria, each facing its unique challenges of insurgency and violence.

In the North West Zone, which suffers from banditry, 43 individuals have been declared wanted. Notable names include Alhaji Shingi, Malindi Yakubu, and Bello Turji, among others. This zone has been particularly hard-hit by acts of violence and banditry, leading to the identification and naming of key figures believed to be fueling the crisis.

Similarly, in the North East, a region ravaged by the activities of Boko Haram and the Islamic State for West Africa Province terrorists, 33 persons have been declared wanted. Among them are Abu Zaida, Modu Sulum, and Mohammad Khalifa. These individuals are believed to be central figures in the ongoing insurgency that has plagued the region for years.