The Nigerian Army has reported the arrest of Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, often known as Gentle de Yahoo.
Okorienta was apprehended in his hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area, Imo State, during a joint operation carried out by troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade and other security agencies.
The Nigerian Army stated that the raid resulted in the recovery of an English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO, a cartridge, six mobile phones, military and police uniforms, and a German flag.
Troops also discovered a facility designed to dismantle stolen automobiles for resale and destroyed ten motorcycles discovered on the premises.
In related operations, troops conducted coordinated missions in Adamawa, Katsina, and Kogi states, recovering 12 kidnapped individuals. Five people were freed in Adamawa’s Madagali Local Government Area, another five in Katsina’s Malumfashi Local Government Area, and two more were rescued in Lokoja, Kogi.
Separately, operatives from the Joint Task Force North East’s Operation Hadin Kai neutralized eight Islamic State of West Africa Province fighters in Borno. Several more people with gunshot wounds were apprehended.
According to a military statement, the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, after terrorists set up an ambush near Garin Giwa on the Baga-Cross Kauwa Main Supply Route.
“During the exchange of fire, eight ISWAP fighters were neutralized, including two Munzirs and one Qaid,” the Army statement added.
