Nigerian Military Confirms Capture of Notorious Terror Kingpin ‘Gentle De Yahoo’ in Imo After Earlier Reports of His Death

The Nigerian military has confirmed the capture of a notorious terror kingpin, Ifeanyi Eze, popularly known as Gentle De Yahoo, following earlier reports last month that he had been killed during a raid in Imo State. The Defence Headquarters made the announcement on Thursday, describing Eze as a key commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, revealed that troops of Operation UDO KA captured Eze during a coordinated operation conducted between 8 and 13 October 2025 across Imo and neighbouring states. Kangye said Eze had long been on the military’s wanted list along with eight other suspected members of the group operating in parts of Imo and Ebonyi States.

In addition to Eze’s capture, the military also arrested a female IPOB/ESN collaborator in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. She was identified as a logistics supplier for the terror network and was found with three children belonging to another wanted ESN commander, Maduabuchi Nwankwo, also known as Emergency, who is said to be her relative. Several arms, ammunition, and a vehicle were recovered from the suspects during the operations.

Eze, who identifies as a Biafra agitator, has been linked to a series of violent attacks in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, including the killing of three of his fighters. He was reportedly a commander of the Biafra Liberation Army in Okigwe, a group founded by Simon Ekpa, the Finland-based agitator and leader of the IPOB Autopilot faction, who was recently jailed for terrorism.

The confirmation of Eze’s capture ends weeks of speculation following reports in September that he and his fighters were feared dead during a Nigerian Army raid on their hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe.

Security in Imo and across Nigeria’s South-east continues to deteriorate due to frequent attacks by armed groups. While the federal government blames IPOB for much of the violence, the faction led by Nnamdi Kanu has consistently denied any involvement.