The Nigerian Military authorities has declared Simon Ekpa interim leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and 96 other persons wanted for various violent crimes against the country.
Simon Ekpa, who is based in Finland has been a factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra since Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was re-arrested to continue with his trial.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba released the names and pictures of the people who declared they wanted on Friday.
No bounty was placed on the 97 persons declared wanted.
A total of 43 persons were declared wanted in North West Zone ravaged by banditry, some of which include:
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 where the military has been battling Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province terrorists for a decade now, 33 persons were declared wanted. Some of them include 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 South East and North Central, a total of 21 individuals were declared wanted, which include Simon Ekpa; Chika Edoziem; Egede; Zuma ; ThankGod; Gentle; Flavour ; Mathew; David Ndubuisi ; High Chief Williams Agbor; Ebuka Nwaka; Friday Ojimka; Obiemesi Chukwudi aka Dan Chuk ; David Ezekwem Chidiebube and Amobi Chinonso Okafor aka Temple among others.
For Mr. Ekpa, who hails from Ebonyi state, it is not clear if the federal government would make move for his extradition from Finland where he has been operating from.