Gentile’s Arrest: “Fall Of Major Pillar Of Organized Terror In South East” – HURIWA

By Ayodele Oni

“It is important to show proof of his capture. Failure to do this is troubling” – HURIWA

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), has described the arrest of the dreaded and notorious Commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo (identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta) as “the fall of a major pillar of organised terror in the South-East.”

HURIWA urged the Nigerian Military to build on this momentum by dismantling the remaining cells of violent agitators still operating under the guise of secessionist struggle in the region.

The group, however, specifically asserted that the failure of the Nigerian Army to demonstrate practically that Gentle Yahoo was indeed captured alive is troubling.

It commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their courageous and well-coordinated operation that led to the arrest of the notorious, alleged  IPOB Commander.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja,  by the Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA described the ‘arrest’, if proven as announced by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Magnus Kangye, as “a landmark breakthrough” and “a major moral victory” for the Nigerian military in its sustained campaign to restore peace and order in the region.

The Association noted that Gentle de Yahoo’s reign of terror had inflicted untold hardship and suffering on several communities, particularly in Okigwe, Orsu, and Arondizuogu, where he allegedly coordinated brutal attacks and extortion activities.

According to verified security reports cited by HURIWA, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended Gentle de Yahoo and eight of his accomplices in coordinated offensives across Imo and Ebonyi States.

During the raid, the military recovered an English pistol, assorted rounds of ammunition, police and military uniforms, six mobile phones, and a cache of operational motorcycles and vehicles used in terror operations.

HURIWA recalled that the arrested commander had long been on the military’s wanted list for spearheading multiple acts of terror, including kidnappings, community invasions, and targeted killings in parts of Imo State.

Among his most horrifying atrocities, the association noted, was his alleged orchestration of the massacre in Arondizuogu, where gunmen believed to be loyal to his network invaded three communities (Umualaoma, Ndiakuwanta, and Ndiejezie) killing over 30 people in cold blood earlier this year.

The Association called for sustained, intelligence-driven operations while adopting more strategic approaches such as increased collaboration with traditional rulers, local vigilante groups, and community-based intelligence volunteers.

HURIWA emphasized that meaningful civilian cooperation and timely intelligence sharing are critical to consolidating the military’s recent gains.

The rights group further lauded the visionary leadership and operational acumen of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, whom it credited for instilling renewed discipline, coordination, and professionalism across the Armed Forces.

HURIWA said General Musa’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring human rights compliance in counter-terrorism operations has restored public confidence in the military.