The Nigerian Army on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, announced the arrest of a notorious commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.
Okorienta Gentle de Yahoo was captured by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in a joint operation with sister security agencies at his hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
The arrest of Okorienta Gentle de Yahoo by troops is seen as a major breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on criminal elements linked to IPOB) and its armed wing, the ESN, in the South East geopolitical zone.
Gentle Yahoo is alleged to be responsible for series of violent attacks, including the recent murder of two of his gang members as contained in a video that went viral and the brutal murder of family members of a local vigilante leader in Okigwe.
The Army said the operation led to the recovery of a cache of arms and items, including one English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, a cartridge, six mobile phones, military and police uniforms, as well as a German flag.
Troops also uncovered a workshop used for dismantling stolen vehicles for resale and destroyed 10 motorcycles found at the scene.
Beyond the Imo operation, troops also carried out coordinated missions in Adamawa, Katsina, and Kogi States, rescuing 11 kidnap victims.
Similarly, troops freed five persons in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa while another five were freed in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina in addition to two victims that were rescued in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The Army further stated that two terrorists were neutralised in Katsina while an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a motorcycle were recovered.
In a related development, troops killed a violent extremist and seized charms and a mobile phone in Benue State while 11 suspects linked to armed robbery, gunrunning, and violent extremism were also arrested across Benue, Kogi, and Kaduna States.
This was as troops in Plateau State recovered 40 rustled cattle, which were returned to their owners.
The Nigerian Army credited the successes to sustained collaboration with sister services and security agencies.
