The Joint Task Force Operation (JTF) in Maiduguri has placed a bounty of N50 million on the head of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, one of 19 leaders and commanders of the militant group it declared wanted today. In a statement, JTF said, “They 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.” It also said the men were wanted for arson and destruction of properties worth of millions of Naira. Four of the men, described as “Shurra Committee,” have a reward of N25 million each for information leading to their arrest.  They are: Habibu Yusuf (aka Asalafi); Khalid Albarnawai; Momodu Bama; and Mohammed Zangina. The 14 other men, described as “Boko Haram Commanders,” have a bounty of N10m each placed on their heads. There has lately been a deep division in the government of President Goodluck Jonathan about Boko Haram.  While his spokesman, Reuben Abati, had said consistently that the government was using “back room channels” to negotiate with the militants, President Jonathan himself said in his Media Chat last week that no negotiations of any sort are going on. Today’s press statement by the JTF indicates a new government hard line, perhaps stemming from efforts to generate negotiations which may see renewed militant attacks on soft targets in the country.  Recently, the group asked the leader of the Congress for Political Change, General Muhammadu Buhari, to mediate talks with the government, but Buhari turned down the offer.  Full Text of the statement: NAMES                                                                                  REWARD SHURRA COMMITTEE 1.         Abubakar Shekau                                                        N50 Million 2.         Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi)                                      N25 Million 3.         Khalid Albarnawai                                                      N25 Million 4.         Momodu Bama                                                           N25 Million 5.         Mohammed Zangina                                                   N25 Million BOKO HARAM COMMANDERS                               6.         Abu Saad                                                                     N10 Million 7.         Abba Kaka                                                                  N10 Million 8.         Abdulmalik Bama                                                       N10 Million 9.         Umar Fulata                                                                N10 Million 10.       Alhaji Mustapha (Massa) Ibrahim                             N10 Million 11.       Abubakar Suleiman-Habu (a.k.a Khalid)                    N10 Million 12.       Hassan Jazair                                                              N10 Million 13.       Ali Jalingo                                                                   N10 Million 14.       Alhaji Musa Modu                                                     N10 Million 15.       Bashir Aketa                                                               N10 Million 16.       Abba Goroma                                                             N10 Million 17.       Ibrahim Bashir                                                            N10 Million 18.       Abubakar Zakariya                                                     N10 Million 19.       Tukur Ahmed Mohammed                                         N10 Million Anybody with relevant information should contact the following GSM numbers: 08064174066, 070855464012, and 08154429345.  Informants’ identities will be highly protected.       What are your thoughts on this new development?           -Sahara Reporters