Some residents of Zamfara State on Monday expressed doubt that any progress would be made with the declaration of some terror kingpins in the state wanted by the military.

They wondered why it took the military so long before declaring the terror kingpins wanted or even making a frantic effort to capture them alive.

The Defence Headquarters had, earlier yesterday, released names and identities of 19 terrorists’ commanders who had been wrecking havocs in Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral.

The Military High Command said it would give N5m to any Nigerian who had information on how the terrorists could be captured, urging the public to contact 09135904467.

It said this became imperative to sustain tempo in clearing the adversaries and restore peace to the country.

The names of the wanted terrorists as released by the Director, Defence Information, Jimmy Akpor, are as follow:

Sani Dangote – origin: Dumbarum village, Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State; Bello Turji Gudda, Fakai village, Zamfara State; Leko, Mozoj village, Mutazu LGA, Katsina State; Dogo Nahali, Yar Tsamiyar Jno village, Kankara LGA, Katsina; Halilu Sububu, Sububu village, Maradun LGA, Zamfara; Nagona, Angwan Galadima, Isa LGA, Sokoto State; Nasanda, Kwashabawa village, Zurmi LGA, Zamara; Isiya Kwashen Garwa, Kamfanin Daudawa  village, Faskari, Katsina. 

Others are: Ali Kachalla aka Ali Kawaje, Kuyambara village, Danaadau, Maru LGA, Zamfara; Abu Radde, Varanda village, Batsari LGA, Katsina; Dan-da, Varanda village, Batsari LGA, Katsina; Sani Gurgu, Varanda village, Batsari LGA, Katsina; Umaru Dan Nigeria, Rafi village, Mada District in Gusau LGA, Zamfara; Nagala, Maru LGA, Zamfara; Ado Aliero, Yankuzo village, Tsafe LGA, Zamfara; Monore, Yantumaki village, Dan LGA, Katsina; Gwaska Dankarami, Shamushele village, Zuri LGA, Zamfara; Baleri, Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara and Mamudu Tainange, Varanda village, Batsari LGA, Katsina.

 Residents speak

Speaking to Daily Trust, a resident of Zamfara, Mustapha Shinkafi, said rather than declare the terrorists wanted, the military should eliminate them.

He said: “An armed bandit like Bello Turji, alongside other armed criminals, has been moving from one village to another, especially around Shinkafi and Maradun LGA of Zamfara State as well as Isa and Sabon Birni LGAs in the neighbouring Sokoto State.

 “Turji built a large house few metres from Fakai community and he has been living in that house until when the NAF carried out a precision airstrike on the house leaving it in ruins.

“Declaration of the terrorists wanted won’t change anything. The only thing that will help boost the security of lives and property is the total elimination of these terrorists” 

“Last October, NAF conducted an air raid on the residence of a callous bandit’s leader few kilometres from Dangulbi community in Maru LGA. Since the air attack which killed several of Damina’s boys, the people in the area have reported relative calmness. This is what we expect from security operatives.”

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Another resident, Musa Hassan, said a bandits’ leader, Ado Aleiro, was declared wanted by the police with a bounty shortly after he led a gang of criminals to attack Kadisau, a small farming village in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.

“Since then, Ado Aliero has been moving freely and he was in Yandoto community where he received chieftaincy title some months back. In my opinion, taking them out, not declaring them wanted, is the best thing to do,” he added.

Another local, Aliyu Zurmi, said: “Dankarami has made the residency of people around Zurmi and Birnin Magaji  LGAs of Zamfara and some parts of Katsina State a hell. But he has boasted that no one can threaten him.” 

What it means to declaring terrorists wanted – Expert

A security sector reform expert, Chukwuma Ume, told Daily Trust that declaring the terrorists wanted shows that the government is already having upper hands against the enemies.

 He said, “Now, the declaration of Kidnap Kingpin Turji and his cohorts is normal within Law Enforcement. However, I think declaring Turji wanted now could not be more timely and auspicious.

“For me, it simply means that the law enforcement agents now have the upper hand in the game. It means he has been cornered and does not pose more of a danger to the country anymore.

“Traditionally, you are only declared wanted if you are fleeing or evading arrest. And in either of the circumstances, he has his back on the pursuing law enforcement agents.

“Usually, declaring someone wanted, is also another means of offering someone the opportunity to stay alive and turn himself or herself in to law enforcement agents or face the consequence of being hunted down by law enforcement agents.

“In sum, government indeed, has raised its game and beginning to keep to its many assurances.”

Daily Trust