How Troops Raided Hideout of Notorious IPOB/ESN Commander “Gentle de Yahoo” in Imo
...his fate still unknown
By Chidi Omeje
Details have emerged on how troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, stormed the hideout 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.
Authoritative military sources revealed that the operation, which took place in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, followed credible intelligence on the commander’s movements.
To achieve the element of surprise, troops reportedly opted to trek for nearly four hours through rough terrain before arriving at the target location in the early hours of the morning.
On arrival, the soldiers discreetly surrounded the compound housing the fighters. However, the terrorists opened fire, prompting troops to return firepower in what sources described as a “generous dose” that overwhelmed the adversaries.
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In the ensuing exchange, some fighters, including two women, attempted to escape by scaling the fence but were swiftly neutralized by the troops. To smoke out those still hiding inside, the soldiers set the building ablaze. During the chaos, a man believed to be Gentle de Yahoo’s second-in-command attempted to flee but was gunned down alongside another fellow.
As at the time of filing this report, it was not yet clear if Gentle de Yahoo himself was killed in the operation or managed to escape during the firefight. Troops have since dominated the area and were carrying out mop-up operations to ascertain his fate.
In a telephone interview, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Apollonia Anele, confirmed the development, stating that no casualties were recorded on the side of the Nigerian Army. She assured that the public would be duly updated once post-operation assessments were concluded.
Gentle de Yahoo, regarded as one of the most feared ESN commanders in the South-East, has been linked to several violent attacks on security formations, kidnappings, and killings across Imo and neighboring states.
His reign of terror, sources say, has instilled fear in local communities, especially his own town, Aku, and posed a serious threat to security in the region.
