15 Most Dangerous People in the World and Why

Some of the most dangerous people include Ayman al-Zawahiri, Cody Wilson, Yaser Abdel Said, Semion Mogilevich, The Bomb-Maker Extraordinaire, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, Joseph Kony, Abubakar Shekau, etc.

From politicians to criminals, some individuals pose a greater risk to the world than others. These people are most dangerous because of their influence, power, or resource access.

While natural disasters may seem like the most dangerous threats to humanity, human beings also have the power to do the most damage.

Those who pose the greatest danger are often not born bad but shaped by their environment and circumstances.

They may not always be the ones who make headlines, but they are the ones whose actions could have the greatest impact on the world.

Most Dangerous People in the World

Let’s look at the most dangerous people and why they are so dangerous.

1. Ayman al-Zawahiri

Ayman al-Zawahiri is one of the most dangerous people in the world. He is the co-founder of Al-Qaeda and current leader based in the Afghan-Pakistan border region, seeking to retaliate against perceived historical atrocities by Christians and Jews against Muslims.

His ambitions include establishing a unified Islamic political leadership across the Arab world and expelling non-Muslims from Saudi Arabia, which holds the holiest places in Islam.

In addition to endorsing violence against non-Muslims, he has recently dispatched fighters to Syria and attempted to forge alliances between various jihadist groups, including urging ISIS to unite with other jihadists against what he views as a coalition comprising the United States, Russia, Europe, Shiite groups, Iran, and the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

2. Cody Wilson

Cody Wilson has gained recognition through his involvement in some of the most renowned digital initiatives. Wilson’s fame surged when he pioneered the creation of the Liberator, the world’s inaugural fully 3-D printed handgun.

His objective is to enable individuals worldwide to manufacture a deadly plastic weapon with just one simple click. Wilson could potentially face an investigation for suspected unlawful weapons exports, which, if proven, could result in a prison sentence of up to seven years.

The severity of the sentence could escalate if it can be proven that his actions posed a significant threat to “US national and regional security interests.”

3. Yaser Abdel Said

Said, a former taxi driver originally from Egypt, is a murder suspect with a birthdate of January 27, 1957. The FBI currently wants him for his alleged involvement in the tragic deaths of his two teenage children, which occurred on January 1, 2008, while he was residing in Irving, Texas.

Following the fatal shootings of his daughters, Amina (18) and Sarah (17), their remains were discovered in an abandoned taxi at the Omni Mandalay Hotel (now the Omni Las Colinas Hotel) in Irving, Texas.

Astonishingly, Said managed to evade capture for 12 years after this horrendous incident. However, on August 26, 2020, he was apprehended without resistance in Justin, Texas. He is now facing “Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution” charges in the Northern District of Texas, where his trial will occur.

4. Semion Mogilevich

The Ukrainian-born criminal figure is believed to hold the title of the “boss of bosses” within the most influential Russian Mafia syndicates, extending their operations beyond national borders.

His primary objectives encompass amassing wealth and consolidating power. To achieve these ends, he is involved in activities such as trafficking narcotics, trading in nuclear materials, orchestrating contract killings, and participating in international prostitution networks.

To ensure a continuous influx of funds, he established a large network of over 100 front businesses and bank accounts spanning 27 countries.

In 2008, Russian authorities apprehended Mogelivich on tax evasion charges relating to a cosmetics company called Arbat Prestige under one of his many aliases, Sergei Schneider. These charges were dropped three years later. He remains on the FBI’s wanted list for his alleged involvement in a $150 million fraud scheme.

5. The Bomb-Maker Extraordinaire

Ibrahim Al-Asiri, a Saudi combatant, holds the role of bomb maker within Al-Qaeda’s ranks. He employs PETN in constructing explosives that elude detection by X-ray machines. In 2009, he is believed to have designed the infamous ‘underwear’ bomb, which was employed in an attempt to target a US-bound aircraft.

He is regarded as one of the most dangerous individuals globally, Al-Asiri’s gravest offense lies in his instruction of bomb-making skills to Al-Qaeda recruits. This alarming development prompted the United States to issue “credible threat” alerts in July 2014, which heightened security measures on all direct flights.

6. Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi (Isis)

The leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) aims to establish his Islamic state, or Caliphate, which will span across northern Syria and eastern Iraq. He seeks recognition as ‘Caliph Ibrahim,’ to whom all Muslims would pledge allegiance. ISIS has also outlined a five-year “expansion plan” that covers the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, Northern Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

In addition, it’s worth noting that Al-Qaida severed ties with ISIS due to its extreme violence. Despite this, ISIS has managed to take control of more than half of Iraq, imposing a radical interpretation of Wahhabi Islam and implementing a strict version of Sharia law in those areas.

7. Joseph Kony: 

Joseph Kony is , former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), envisions the establishment of a theocratic state founded on the principles of the Ten Commandments and the Alcholi tradition.

Government officials have leveled accusations against Kony, alleging his involvement in the abduction of children, with the sinister aim of forcibly conscripting them as child soldiers and subjecting them to sexual exploitation. Shockingly, a staggering 66,000 children were coerced into joining the ranks of the army.

During the period spanning from 1986 to 2009, approximately 2 million individuals were internally displaced due to the conflict. The International Criminal Court, located in the Hague, Netherlands, charged Kony with war crimes and crimes against humanity in 2005, though he has managed to evade arrest thus far.

Thanks to the efforts of the United States, the LRA has been pushed back, and many of Kony’s followers have deserted him. It is believed that Kony’s health is deteriorating, and if the pressure to dismantle the LRA and negotiate his surrender is sustained, he is likely to be apprehended.

8. El Mayo, Ismael Zambada (drug lord of the Sinaloa cartel)

His primary objective is to retain his position as the head of a criminal empire worth billions of dollars. He is involved in smuggling narcotics into the United States and Europe, money laundering, and a highly profitable kidnapping sideline. To solidify the Sinaloa cartel’s authority, brutal mass executions of rival gangs and innocent civilians are carried out as a means to maintain loyalty.

According to the House Committee on Homeland Security, the cartel’s communication network has been infiltrated. This is how the infamous former spokesperson of the cartel, Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, was eventually captured after evading capture for 13 years.

9. Matteo Messina Denaro Diabolik

The Mafia leader aims to rectify previous injustices against the impoverished and marginalized, all while amassing substantial wealth.

This may be one of the reasons he ranks among the most dangerous people globally. And how does he accomplish this? He ventures into lucrative enterprises, including retail complexes, food delivery companies, wind farms, and agriculture. These operations have grown so extensive that it becomes challenging to distinguish where the financial boundaries of western Sicily end and his sphere of influence begins.

In the early 1990s, he played a role in a bombing campaign orchestrated by the Sicilian mafia. This campaign led to the tragic loss of life among magistrates and bystanders in locations such as Sicily, Rome, and Florence, resulting in the deaths of around 50 individuals.

10. Mokhtar Belmokhtar

Al-Mourabitoun, an Al-Qaida affiliate, is under the leadership of an Algerian jihadist. His ultimate aim is to transform Al-Qaida into a global terrorist organization with the capacity to execute operations throughout Western Europe and establish a presence in the entire African continent. This leader, known as Mr Marlboro, recruits foreign jihadists returning from Syria to carry out fresh acts of terror, with the illegal tobacco trade funding these activities.

He is suspected of orchestrating the assault on an Algerian gas facility last year, resulting in the tragic deaths of 40 hostages, and more recently, a plot targeting the Eiffel Tower has come to light.

Following a dramatic confrontation with counter-terrorism forces, Belmokhtar’s supporters have dubbed him “The Uncatchable.” “Similar attacks are expected to be launched within the borders of Libya, where Belmokhtar is believed to be located,” stated Mokhtar Belhasin, an expert on jihadist movements.

11. Kim Jong-un

Kim Jong-un has been the Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2012, after his father’s death. Aside from his father, his grandfather had previously held the same position as the supreme leader of North Korea.

Kim Jong-un is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous individuals on the planet, primarily due to his leadership position in North Korea. This perception is amplified by North Korea’s possession of advanced nuclear weaponry, combined with Kim Jong-un’s reputation for being ruthless and uncompromising.

12. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani: 

General Ashfaq is an accomplished four-star general who is the 8th Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan. His reputation is built upon his remarkable achievements during his tenure in the Pakistan Army.

Before his retirement, he served in various esteemed positions, including Vice Chief of Army Staff, Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Commander of X Corps, and Director General of Military Operations, among others.

General Ashfaq led several wars throughout his career and played a major role in numerous battles for Pakistan. His dedication and skills were instrumental in serving the nation. Notably, General Ashfaq played an integral role in facilitating the restoration of democracy in Pakistan after over nine years of dictatorship under the leadership of General Pervez.

He Leveraged the formidable influence of the ISI, which was highly respected and feared in Pakistan, along with his abilities; he contributed significantly to this democratic transition. His military leadership has been responsible for ensuring Pakistan’s security.

13. Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is currently the president of Russia, a position he has occupied since 2012. Before becoming president, he served as the Prime Minister of Russia for consecutive terms.

His military service spans from 1975 to the present day, and during this period, he has been involved in various conflicts, including the Second Chechen War, the Russo-Georgian War, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and the Syrian Civil War.

In his capacity as the Russian president, Vladimir Putin commands significant military forces and wields considerable power. He possesses both the capability and a relentless determination to expand his influence limitlessly.

Recent events in the Russo-Ukrainian war exemplify how formidable Putin can be, even in the face of international intervention by global powers.

14. Matteo Messina Denaro (Diabolik): 

Matteo Messina, also known as “The Skinny,” is so dangerous that he earns himself on the Forbes list of the top 10 most wanted criminals worldwide. Forbes recognized him as one of the most sought-after fugitives globally. He held the position of boss within the Sicilian Mafia, a notorious Italian criminal organization, and also led Cosa Nostra, another highly dangerous group.

Through his alliances with the Mafia and Cosa Nostra, Matteo Messina orchestrated a multitude of heinous acts, including numerous murders and various other criminal activities. Matteo Messina was not an ordinary boss; he was considered the ultimate authority, unchallengeable. 

He was born on April 2nd, 1962, in Castelvetrano, Sicily, Italy, he became Europe’s most wanted criminal and has been evading capture since 1993. 

Was he ever apprehended? No, he received a life sentence in absentia. Many individuals have been mistakenly arrested and subsequently released, believing they were Matteo, the supreme leader of all bosses.

15. Abubakar Shekau

Abubakar Shekau, whose full name is Abu Mohammed Abubakar al-Sheikawi, gained notoriety as the leader of Boko Haram, a terrorist group in the northern part of Nigeria and beyond. 

During his leadership, Boko Haram became famous for its terrorist activities in the north, displacing millions of people from their homes and causing the deaths of over 30,000 individuals. 

Abubakar Shekau led and participated in numerous battles that disrupted the peace in African countries. He succeeded Mohammed Yusuf as the group’s leader after Yusuf’s execution. However, Abubakar Shekau allegedly committed suicide in Sambisa Forest, Nigeria, on May 19, 2021, which marked the end of his leadership.

Conclusion

While it’s easy to point fingers at individuals as the cause of all the world’s problems, the reality is more complicated. As individuals, we can also protect ourselves and our loved ones from dangerous people. By being aware of the signs of destructive behaviour and taking appropriate precautions, we can make a difference. What are your thoughts on this topic?