The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a top 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, working with other security agencies, captured Okorienta at his hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to military authorities, the raid 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, as well as a German flag.
Soldiers also destroyed a workshop allegedly used for dismantling stolen vehicles and set ablaze 10 motorcycles discovered at the site.
Beyond Imo, the Army said its troops carried out coordinated operations across Adamawa, Katsina, Kogi, Benue, Kaduna, and Plateau States.
Eleven kidnap victims were rescued—five in Adamawa, five in Katsina, and one in Kogi—while two suspected terrorists were killed in Katsina, with an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a motorcycle recovered.
In Benue, troops killed a violent extremist and seized charms and a mobile phone, while 11 suspects linked to armed robbery, gunrunning, and extremism were arrested in different operations. In Plateau State, soldiers recovered 40 stolen cattle and returned them to their owners.
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The Army credited the successes to strengthened collaboration with sister services and other security agencies, pledging to sustain the pressure on criminal groups nationwide.
