Fresh details have emerged on how troops of the Nigerian Army stormed the village of the notorious IPOB/ESN commander, Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle De Yahoo, in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, killing his second-in-command (2IC) and two others. However, uncertainty still surrounds the fate of Gentle himself.
According to an anonymous military source who spoke after the operation, troops of the 34 Brigade under the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army stormed Aku Ihube community in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State in a commando-style raid after trekking for nearly four hours to avoid detection.
“We surrounded his house completely before moving in,” the source said. “Gentle’s boys started firing from the ceiling. Our troops returned fire, but when it became clear that they were not coming down, those on the outer cordon kept shooting while the strike team moved closer.”
The source explained that the soldiers eventually set the building ablaze, forcing two females and three males to jump out. In their attempt to escape, troops opened fire, killing two women and two men on the spot.
“Three others remained in the roof. His second-in-command eventually jumped down and tried to scale the wall, but he was gunned down immediately. His body, along with those of two other fighters, was recovered by our men,” the source added.
Despite the heavy casualties, the military has not been able to confirm if Gentle de Yahoo himself was killed in the operation.
“Villagers have confirmed the death of his 2IC. But we cannot categorically say that Gentle himself was among those killed. It’s possible he died in the fire or was hit during the shootout, but it’s also possible he escaped. Post-operation examinations are ongoing to determine the truth,” the source stated.
The operation, which villagers say brought relief to the community long harassed by Gentle and his gang, involved troops entering the area through Nneato village to encircle the hideout.
“There was no escape route left for him. Whether he was killed or not, time will tell. For now, the army is urging patience as further confirmation is awaited,” the military source concluded.
The Nigerian Army is expected to issue an official statement once investigations confirm the fate of Gentle de Yahoo, who has been one of the most feared IPOB/ESN commanders in Imo State.
