Nigeria declares 55 Boko Haram fighters wanted

Nigeria on Monday released a banner containing photographs and names of 55 Boko Haram wanted for various attacks and terror activities in the northeast where the military currently prosecute war against the insurgents.

Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff, Gen Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, who disclosed this while releasing the banner at a brief event, urged the public to facilitate in tracking them down.

"With this launching of additional list of wanted terrorists, it is hoped that the public will collaborate to identify the wanted Boko Haram wherever they are," he said.

The defense chief urged Boko Haram who wish to surrender their arms and embrace peace to do so in time so as to benefit from the military Operation Save Corridors program for repentant Boko Haram insurgents.

On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai said the army first published a wanted lists of Boko Haram late 2015, adding that it released the second later.

He said the fresh list which contained the name and photograph of Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader, was the third list released to the public.

According to him, the military published the list for the purpose of emphases, urging the people to provide useful information regarding the Boko Haram men.

He promised that such information will be treated with secrecy.

Speaking on the war against insurgency, he insisted Boko Haram has been defeated and advised people not to doubt the claim.

"It is very clear that Boko Haram has been defeated but to insist otherwise is to encourage the terrorists to evolve, to get them to feel they are around. We know some of the insurgents are still but their end is near," he added. Endit