The Defence Headquarters in Abuja, has declared 9 persons wanted for terrorism and violent extremism particularly in Northeastern Nigeria.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, confirmed the names and pictures of the wanted terrorists, on Thursay, during the DHQ’s bi-weekly press briefing with defence correspondents.
The wanted terrorists are identifies as: ABU KHADIJA ABDURAHMA, DADI GUMBA, ABU MUHAMMED, ABU YUSUF, MUSA WA’A, USMAN KANIN SHEHU, IBRAHIM SUYEKA, BA SULHU and IDRIS TAKLAKSE. They are all said to be from the North-east zone.
Buba further disclosed the existence of a new terrorist group called Lakurawas, who are affiliates of terrorists from Republics of Mali and Niger, and began incursion into northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states from the Niger and Mali areas, particularly after the coup in Niger Republic.
He said that prior to the coup, the joint border operations with Nigerien security forces kept the terrorists at bay. The terrorists however, took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some NW states to spread their ideology.
“The military cooperation between security forces in the Republic of Niger and own forces has been restored. This would help to tackle the new threat”, Buba said, adding that troops have sustained offensives to degrade these terrorists, locating them and eliminating the threat.
Furthermore, some terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have indicated to surrender. “We are opening a surrendering corridor for that purpose”, Buba said.
