ABUJA – In a stunning twist that has left Nigeria’s security apparatus scrambling for answers, Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta—the notorious gunman and alleged IPOB commander known as “Gentle De Yahoo”—has reappeared in a viral video, months after the military declared him captured.
The suspected militant, whose name has long been synonymous with the wave of violence across the Okigwe-Ihube axis, surfaced in a fresh “peace appeal” video on Friday. His resurfacing raises serious questions about the Nigerian Army’s September 2025 announcement, which stated he had been apprehended in Aku-Ihube, Imo State, with a cache of arms and ammunition recovered from his hideout.
The “Ghost” Speaks: A Plea for Peace
In the new footage, a sober-looking Okorienta directly addressed the Igbo people, seeking a clean slate for the new year.
“Igbo People, if I have offended you, please forgive me. I come in peace this year 2026. Let’s join hands together and fight for Biafra,” he pleaded. However, the apology came with a sharp sting, as he moved to deflect blame for the carnage currently ravaging the Southeast.
Assault on Asari Dokubo
Distancing himself from the recent killings of civilians and security personnel, “Gentle De Yahoo” leveled a heavy accusation against former Niger Delta agitator Asari Dokubo. He claimed that Dokubo’s private security group is the true architect of the “blood and sorrow” in the region, alleging that they are responsible for “killing their own people” under the guise of security operations.
Security Breach or PR Stunt?
The “resurrection” of Okorienta has sparked an immediate outcry over the transparency of military arrests in the Southeast. Critics are questioning whether the suspect escaped from custody or if the initial report of his capture was premature.
The Defence Headquarters has faced mounting pressure to explain how a man described as a high-value target in major military offensives is back on social media making political declarations.
As of press time, the Imo State Police Command and the Army have yet to issue a formal rebuttal or confirm the authenticity of the video. However, the development underscores a terrifying reality: the “ghosts” of the Southeast’s insurgency are far from laid to rest.
Will the Nigerian Army provide proof of Okorienta’s current status, or does his reappearance signal a major failure in the region’s high-security detention system?
