Military captures suspected IPOB commander, ‘Gentle de Yahoo’, 8 others

The Nigerian Armed Forces have arrested a wanted commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), identified as Gentle, alongside eight of his associates during coordinated operations in Imo and Ebonyi States.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Magnus Kangye, announced the arrest on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja.

He disclosed that Gentle had long been on the military’s wanted list for alleged acts of terrorism across the South-East.

“The Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA troops sustained offensive operations throughout the week under review.

Between 8 and 13 October, they conducted several offensives and arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN terrorist commander identified as Gentle, who had been on the troops’ wanted list, alongside eight other criminals in Owerri West and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of Imo State, as well as Izzi and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State,” Kangye said.

According to him, the troops also recovered assorted weapons, ammunition, and vehicles during the raids.

Kangye further revealed that a female collaborator allegedly linked to IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN) was apprehended in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State on October 13.

“The suspect is believed to be one of their logistics suppliers.

During her arrest, three children were found in her custody, and investigations revealed they were the biological children of a wanted IPOB/ESN leader identified as Maduabuchi Nwankwo, also known as ‘Emergency’,” he revealed.

The Defence Headquarters also highlighted other recent operational breakthroughs recorded by the armed forces nationwide over the past two weeks, emphasizing the military’s sustained efforts to curb insecurity and dismantle criminal networks across the country.