Defence Headquarter declares Simon Ekpa, 96 others wanted [Full list]

The Defence Headquarters in Abuja has declared Simon Ekpa, one of the leaders of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), wanted.

Ekpa’s name was listed on the Military’s wanted list alongside 96 others from various parts of the country.

In a banner displaying the pictures of the suspects, the Defence Headquarters stated that it declared 97 persons wanted for terrorism, violent extremism, and secessionist threats against the state.

Among the wanted individuals, Ekpa stands out as he is known for controlling a faction of IPOB and has been credited with the declaration of the notorious Monday sit-at-home in the South-East zone.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, confirmed the names and pictures of the people declared wanted.

A breakdown of the wanted persons shows that 43 were declared wanted in the North West Zone, which has been plagued by banditry and kidnapping, among other crimes. The list includes bandits/terrorists leaders such as Alhaji Shingi, Malindi Yakubu, Boka, Dogo Gide, Halilu Sububu, Ado Aliero, Bello Turji, Dan Bokkolo, Labi Yadi, Nagala, Saidu Idris, Kachalla Rugga, and Sani Gurgu.

In the North East, 33 persons were declared wanted, including terrorists commanders such as Abu Zaida, Modu Sulum, Baba Data, Ahmad, Sani Teacher, Baa Sadiq, Abdul Saad, Kaka Abi, Mohammad Khalifa, Umar Tella, Abu Mutahid, Mallam Mohammad, Mallam Tahiru Baga, Uzaiya, and Ali Ngule.

In the North Central and South East, 21 insurgents/militants and violent criminals were also declared wanted.

The list includes factional IPOB leader Simon Ekpa, Chika Edoziem, Egede, Zuma, ThankGod Gentle, Flavour, Mathew, David Ndubuisi, High Chief Williams Agbor, Ebuka Nwaka, and Friday Ojimka.

Others wanted in the South East are Obiemesi Chukwudi aka Dan Chuk, David Ezekwem Chidiebube, and Amobi Chinonso Okafor aka Temple.

In February 2023, days before the presidential and national assembly election, Ekpa was arrested in Finland, where he resides, after threatening that the elections would not hold in the South-East.

The separatist had repeatedly declared that there would be no elections in the South-East region and insisted on the observance of a sit-at-home every Monday in protest of the detention of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB, however, distanced itself from the Finland-based Ekpa, who was reportedly scheduled for an interview before his arrest.

Ekpa was later released and has since been very active on social media, where he posts his pro-Biafran messages.