Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau

By Michael Olugbode

The Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order in Maiduguri, Borno State Friday officially declared 19 members of the Boko Haram sect, including its leader, Abubakar Shekau wanted and offered N290 million reward to anyone with information that will lead to their arrest.

They were declared wanted for crimes bordering on terrorism. The JTF offered N50 million reward for information that could lead to the arrest of Shekau.

The reward for information on each of his lieutenants ranged from between N25 to N10 million.

This would be the first time such huge amount of money will be offered as reward for information on an individual or group of individuals in the country.

In a press release yesterday by the spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, the security outfit said Shekau and company are "wanted in connection with terrorist activities, particularly in the North East Zone of Nigeria that led to the killings, bombings and assassination of some civilians, religious leaders, traditional rulers, businessmen, politicians, civil servants and security personnel amongst others.

"They are also wanted for arson and destruction of properties worth of millions of naira."

The release further stated that anyone with information that will lead to the arrest of any of the terrorists or more will have the rewards as stated.

Some of Shekau’s lieutenant listed in the release include Habibu Yusuf (N25m); Khalid Albamawa (25m); Momodu Bawa (25m); Mohammed Zangina (25m); Abu Saad (10m); Abba Kaka (10m); Abdulmalik Bama (10m); Umar Fulata (10m); Mustapha Ibrahim (10m) and Abubakar Suleiman Abu (10m).