Multi-billion reward offered for top terrorist leaders

The Malian Government has announced multi-billion CFA franc rewards for information leading to the capture or neutralisation of some of the country’s most wanted terrorist leaders, reports Daily Post Nigeria. According to state media reports, authorities have placed a reward of 2bn CFA francs ($3.5m) on Iyad Ag Ghali, leader of the jihadist group, JNIM. A separate reward of 1.5bn CFA francs has been offered for information leading to the arrest of Amadou Koufa, a senior militant commander linked to Katiba Macina. The reward scheme, approved by Mali’s military-led government under General Assimi Goïta, also covers several other leaders of armed groups operating in Mali and across the Sahel region, with varying amounts attached to each suspect. The Malian authorities said individuals who provide credible intelligence leading to the location, arrest or neutralisation of the wanted suspects would receive the rewards. Citizens were urged to co-operate with security agencies by sharing relevant information. The announcement comes as Mali intensifies military operations against jihadist groups in the country’s northern and central regions, where insurgents linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic state have continued to carry out attacks on civilians, security personnel and government institutions. Authorities said efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and bring their leaders to justice would continue across the country.