Reports had emerged on Tuesday claiming notorious commander of the 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, was arrested by troops of the Nigerian Army.
According to the viral reports, the wanted ESN Commander 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
However, checked by Zagazola Makama revealed that: The Nigerian Army has made no such announcement through its official channels, including the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) or 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze.
Zagazola, a security expert, described claims of Gentle De Yahoo’s capture as “false and fabricated.”
“No verified security or credible media outlet has reported the arrest of any IPOB/ESN commander with the name Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta or alias Gentle de Yahoo.
“The report is therefore a deliberate fabrication designed to mislead the public and should be disregarded.
“Zagazola advises the public to rely only on verified military statements and credible news sources for updates on security operations,” Zagazola stated.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army says its troops rescued 11 kidnap victims and recorded several operational successes against terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups in coordinated operations across the country within the last 24 hours.
The Army troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, in a joint operation with sister services and security agencies, raided the hideout of a notorious IPOB/ESN kingpin, Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, also known as Gentle de Yahoo, at Aku-Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo.
The army disclosed that although no contact was made, troops recovered one English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one cartridge, six mobile phones, military and police uniforms, and a German flag.
Troops also uncovered a workshop used for dismantling stolen vehicles for resale and destroyed 10 motorcycles found at the scene.
According to the army, troops also rescued five kidnapped victims in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa and another five at Kukasheka Ward in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina. Two other victims were rescued in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi.
Army said soldiers neutralised two terrorists in separate encounters in Katsina, recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle.
“In Benue, troops neutralised one violent extremist and recovered a mobile phone and assorted charms, while 11 suspects were arrested in different locations across Benue, Kogi and Kaduna States for armed robbery, gunrunning and violent extremist activities.
“Troops also recovered 40 rustled cattle in Plateau and returned them to their rightful owners,” it said.
The army attributed the operational successes to sustained collaboration between the Nigerian Army, sister services and other security agencies.
Also speaking to Sahara Reporters, the Army stressed that while confirmation of Gentle De Yahoo’s death was still pending, the operation significantly weakened his gang.
“We just have to wait and get confirmation. We are in the process of confirming whether he is among those killed but there is no escape for him,” the Army said.
“We cannot say categorically at this time that he was killed or he found a way to escape. In the fullness of time, the true situation will be confirmed, and we will tell Nigerians the exact situation and confirm whether Gentle De Yahoo has been killed or not.”
The post ‘False And Fabricated’ – Confusion Trails Army’s ‘Capture’ Of IPOB’s ‘Gentle De Yahoo’ appeared first on Naija News.
