The Defence Headquarters has declared no fewer than 19 bandits leaders wanted.

The military high command also placed a N5m bounty on each of them to encourage Nigerians to volunteer information that could lead to their arrest.

The military urged the public to provide information that could lead to the arrest of the bandits When contacted, the Director, Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, confirmed that the list was authentic.

Our correspondent had reported that the process of declaring the bandit leaders wanted was being reviewed by the military authorities.

However, the names, pictures and states of origin of the 19 bandit kingpins were released on Monday.

Agora Policy Report says an estimated 7,500 lives were lost between 2018 and 2021 to bandit attacks while about one million persons were displaced.

Prominent among those declared wanted is Bello Turji from Fakai village, Zamfara State.

Regarded as one of the most dangerous bandit kingpins, Turji was reportedly involved in the alleged killing of about 200 people, including women and children, in January 2022.

He was also said to be behind the attack on Garki village in Sokoto, where over 80 people were murdered in a night in 2021.

He also engaged in mass abduction after his father was arrested by security operatives.

Another notorious bandit on the list is Ali  Kachalla, aka Ali Kawaje, from  Kuyambara village in Danaadau Maru LGA of Zamfara State.

Kachiala’s gang reportedly shot down the jet of flight lieutenant Abayomi Dairo in July 2021.

Equally declared wanted is Ado Aliero, who hailed  from Yankuzo village, in the Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State.

He was installed as the Sarkin Fulani (King of Fulanis) of Yandoton Daji Emirate in Zamfara State in July.

He had been declared wanted by the Katsina State Police Command for masterminding an attack on Kadisau village, in the Faskari Local Government Area of the state, which led to the murder of over 52 people.

Also on the wanted list is Halilu Sububu from Sububu village, in the Maradun  LGA, Zamfara State.

Sububu, who is believed to be the wealthiest bandit leader, narrowly escaped an airstrike on October 24, in which at least 30 terrorists were killed.

Also on the list are Sani Dangote from  Dumbarum village,  Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State; Leko (Mozoj village, Mutazu LGA, Katsina State); Dogo Nahali (Yar Tsamiyar Jno village, Kankara LGA, Katsina State); and Nagona from  Angwan Galadima in the Isa Loa area of Sokoto State.

The wanted kingpins include Ado Aliero from Yankuzo village Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State; Monore from Yantumaki village, Dan LGA, Katsina State; Gwaska Dankarami from Shamushele village in the Zuri LGA of Zamfara State; Baleri from Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State and Mamudu Tainange from  Varanda village in Batsari LGA, Katsina State and others.

A retired Department of State Services officer, Abuh Adams, said the military delayed in declaring kingpins wanted.

He also said the bounty should be reviewed upwards to encourage Nigerians who might wish to volunteer information.

Adams said, “It is better late than never, if not, we have no reason to wait before declaring criminals of that calibre wanted. This should not just be limited to the military, all other security agencies should do the same.

‘’On the amount placed on them, this is an amount that terrorists themselves can buy information with. I think we will get better results if they review the bounty. In saner climes where things like this are done, they make enticing offers to the public.’’

Another security expert, Timothy Avele, said, “Ordinarily, it’s a good thing they’re officially declared wanted terrorists. However, due to the lack of trust by the locals and the general public, I doubt if it will yield fruitful results.

“You remember, not quite long one of the so-called declared terrorists was crowned as an emir in a public ceremony even with security agents at the party. So, it sends the wrong message to the public especially since no one was sanctioned for such a security breach. I doubt if anyone will risk his or her life because of N5m. The amount is not encouraging; it should be from N20m minimum, which is less than $50,000.”

The Punch