Jubilation as Nigerian Army capture ESN commander, ‘Gentle De Yahoo’
Nigerian Army on Tuesday announced they have arrested a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network, ESN, identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.
Okorienta was reported to have been captured in his hideout at Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in a joint operation with sister security agencies.
According to the military, the operation led to the recovery of several exhibits, 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 said they uncovered a workshop used for dismantling stolen vehicles for resale and destroyed 10 motorcycles found at the scene.
Military intelligence reports suggest he was responsible for organizing “enforcement squads” that carried out violent attacks whenever residents defied sit-at-home orders in parts of Anambra and Imo.
Societywatch reports that for years, residents of the South East have been living under a blanket of fear as gunmen linked to Gentle De Yahoo unleashed terror on communities.
He was accused of being responsible for the series of kidnappings and mindless killings going on in the southeast region, including the killing and beheading of a couple serving in the Nigerian military when they traveled to Imo state for their wedding.
A sigh of relief
Societywatch reports that while many are jubilant, some cautioned that the capture of Gentle De Yahoo does not mean the end of the crisis.
Reacting to the development, the Jackson Omenazu-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo urged other fighters to lay down their arms as their days of terror were over.
In a statement made available to SOCIETY WATCH on Wednesday, signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Chief Chinemeze Ohia, National Spokesman, the Igbo group lauded the Federal Government for apprehending Gentle De Yahoo.
It described Gentle De Yahoo as “the self-proclaimed leader of the AUTO PILOT MILITIA, and the nonexistent Biafran Army.
