Army captures IPOB/ESN Commander ‘Gentle de Yahoo’ in Imo

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.

Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, in collaboration with other security agencies, captured him at his hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

The operation led to the recovery of an English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, a cartridge, six mobile phones, military and police uniforms, and a German flag.

A workshop used for dismantling stolen vehicles was also discovered, while 10 motorcycles found at the scene were destroyed.

In other coordinated operations, troops rescued 11 kidnap victims across Adamawa, Katsina, and Kogi States.

Five were freed in Madagali, Adamawa; another five in Malumfashi, Katsina; while two were rescued in Lokoja, Kogi State. Two terrorists were neutralized in Katsina, with soldiers recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a motorcycle.

In Benue, troops killed a violent extremist, seized charms and a mobile phone, and arrested 11 suspects linked to armed robbery, gunrunning, and violent extremism across Benue, Kogi, and Kaduna States. In Plateau, 40 stolen cattle were recovered and returned to their owners.

The Army commended the synergy with sister services and security agencies, stressing that such cooperation remains crucial in sustaining successes against criminal groups nationwide.