Military Arrests Wanted IPOB/ESN Commander ‘Gentle’ in South-East Operations

The Nigerian military has arrested a wanted commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), known by the alias Gentle, during a series of coordinated operations across the South-East.

Confirming the arrest at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Magnus Kangye, said the suspect had long been on the military’s wanted list for his alleged involvement in terrorist activities in the region.

“Between October 8 and 13, troops of the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA conducted several offensives and arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN terrorist commander identified as Gentle, who had been on the troops’ wanted list, alongside eight other criminals in Owerri West and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of Imo State, as well as Izzi and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State,” Kangye said.

He added that during the operations, troops recovered several weapons, ammunition, and vehicles from the suspects.

Kangye further disclosed that a female collaborator linked to the Eastern Security Network was also arrested on October 13 in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

“The suspect is believed to be one of their logistics suppliers. During her arrest, three children were found in her custody, and investigations revealed they were the biological children of a wanted IPOB/ESN leader identified as Maduabuchi Nwankwo, also known as Emergency,” he said.

The Defence Headquarters noted that the arrests were part of broader operations under Operation UDO KA, aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring peace in the South-East.

Kangye also highlighted other recent operational successes recorded by the armed forces across various theatres nationwide, reaffirming the military’s commitment to eliminating all forms of terrorism and criminality in Nigeria.