By Fola James
Ababukar Shekau, the notorious leader of Boko Haram has been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army, among 86 other terrorists, seven years he was declared dead by the military.
Twice in 2009 and 2013 the Boko Haram leader was declared killed by troops fighting terrorists in Borno, the epicenter of the war against terror in the country.
He later resurfaced, and has remained elusive, leading his men to kill many civilians, including women and children in Nigeria’s north east.
But on Wednesday, the military authorities named him alongside 85 other notorious terrorists, including Abu Musa Al Banawi as the most wanted persons in the fight against terrorism.
Other terrorists still at large, according to the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Burutai are Modu Sulum, Malkam Umar, Mallam Bello Husba, Abu Musab Barnawi,Abu Imma, Ibrahim Abu Maryam and Baka Kwasari.
The terrorists that also made the list are Mallam Yan Kolo, Bana Gonna, Mohammed Abu Maryam, and Abu Dardda.
The Army chief disclosed this alongside Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum at the Nigerian Army Super Camp, Chabbal in Konduga Local Government Area of the state, at a ceremony to absorb some Civilian JTF, Hunters, and Vigilantes into the operations of the Nigerian Army Super Camp.
The army boss stated that the nation’s military was on the final push of the terrorists out of all the occupied areas in the north, noting that “the induction of Civilian JTF into the operation will greatly help in containing the activities of Boko Haram because of their knowledge of the terrain and identifying Boko Haram members,” even though civilian JTF will not be allowed to participate in major operations against the terrorists.
The Borno Governor on his part renewed the call on the terrorists to take the last opportunity to lay down their arms in their own interest and for peace to reign in the area.
He warned that their activities will no longer be tolerated as the soldiers are prepared to flush them out.
Zulum said “You are killing your brothers and sisters, destroying your own infrastructures that were built using money generated through tax from your forefathers. Today, we have all seen the level of devastation, nobody is been left, we are all affected in one way or another.”
