Boko Haram 'most wanted', Nigerian army publishes new list

The Nigerian army has released a new poster of ‘Most Wanted’ Boko Haram insurgents. The list contains 55 members of the group including its factional leader, Abubakar Shekau.

The latest list is the third to be issued by the Army. The first containing 100 terrorists was released in October last year, before the second list containing 198 terrorists was published earlier this year. The move is part of the army’s effort to use public information and alert on the wanted persons in the counter insurgency against the group.

The Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin, unveiled the list at the Military Command and Control Centre of Operation Lafiya Dole headquarters, in the capital of Borno State, Maiduguri on Monday.

He urged Nigerians to assist in tracking down the wanted terrorists, who are on the run. He said: “With this launching of additional list of wanted terrorists, it is hoped that the public will collaborate to identify the wanted Boko Haram suspects, wherever they are.”

The army also reiterated its ‘Operation Save Corridor’ for insurgents who wished to repent and forsake terrorist activities. The group has in the recent past carried out a series of attacks on the military and civilian populations.

Their attacks have led to the death of soldiers including Lt. Col. Muhammed Abu Ali, who was described as the ‘best Boko Haram fighter.’ They have also employed the use of female suicide attackers in other attacks targeting civilian population.

The Army Chief, Yusuf Tukur Buratai, recently asserted in a meeting with a United Nations representative that 60% of Boko Haram insurgents were not Nigerians, despite the fact that the insurgency was born in the country.

60% of Boko Haram fighters are not Nigerians – Army Chiefhttps://t.co/KLFySmVLHO

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Boko Haram’s activities affects largely three states in Nigeria’s northeast, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. The effect is also felt around the Lake Chad region where thousands have been killed and millions displaced.

From Cameroon’s Far North region, through Niger and Chad, the insurgent group continues to carry out attacks. Their activities have created a humanitarian crisis in the region, one that aid agencies continue to seek support to help solve.