There are indications that the Defence Headquarters is preparing to release the names and pictures of the new set of wanted terrorist and bandit leaders.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that this was following the elimination of top terrorists and bandit leaders on the watchlist of the military and the emergence of a new crop of leaders.
The DHQ had in November 2022 declared no fewer than 19 bandit leaders wanted with a bounty of N5m on each of them to encourage Nigerians to volunteer information that could lead to their arrest.
Prominent among those declared wanted were Bello Turji from Fakai village, Zamfara State; Ali Kachalla, aka Ali Kawaje, from Kuyambara village in Danaadau Maru LG of Zamfara State; Ado Aliero, from Yankuzo village, in the Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State; Halilu Sububu from Sububu village, in the Maradun LGA, Zamfara State.
Also on the list were Sani Dangote from Dumbarum village, Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State; Leko (Mozoj village, Mutazu LGA, Katsina State); Dogo Nahali (Yar Tsamiyar Jno village, Kankara LGA, Katsina State); Nagona from Angwan Galadima in the Isa Loa area of Sokoto State; Monore from Yantumaki village, Dan LGA, Katsina State; Gwaska Dankarami from Shamushele village in the Zuri LGA of Zamfara State; Baleri from Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State and Mamudu Tainange from Varanda village in Batsari LGA, Katsina State and others.
A source told our correspondent that the military was planning to release a new list of wanted terrorists.
The source noted that work was ongoing on that.
“The authorities are working on a new list of another wanted terrorist and bandit leaders. It will also contain their pictures. Their lists are being compiled.
“We will urge Nigerians to cooperate with us to enable us to neutralise them as we have done in the past. There should be a bounty on them but I can’t say how much. Don’t worry; it will be released to the public very soon,” the source hinted.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed that work was ongoing on the new list.
“We are working on the list. It will be out soon,” he said.
Sunday PUNCH reports that the military had during several operations across the various theatres of operations killed many terrorist and bandit leaders.
This includes a notorious bandit kingpin identified as Boderi who allegedly orchestrated many high-profile kidnappings, including those of Yauri schoolgirls, Greenfield University, and the Nigerian Defence Academy attacks.
Boderi was said to have been killed alongside another kingpin, Bodejo in February 2024.
Between February 1 and 28, 2024, the troops killed 10 terrorist kingpins.
The terrorist kingpins are Ashiru, Kachambi, Dogon Rakumi, Sulen Nagala, Laushi, Bangis, Alhaji Kabiru, Alhaji Baldu, and Baban Yara.
In July 2023, a bandit leader in Zamfara, Dogo Gudali, was killed by the troops.
Similarly in January 2023, a bandit kingpin, popularly known as Alhaji Shadari, and some of his gang members were killed in Zamfara State.