…Demands Clarity on ‘Gentle de Yahoo’
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended traders at Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, for ending the long-running Monday sit-at-home boycott, describing the move as a major boost to economic recovery in the South-East.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the civil rights group also praised Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Nwangbafor Charles Soludo, for supporting efforts that led to the reopening of markets on Mondays.
HURIWA said the discontinuation of sit-at-home across the South-East would help revive the regional economy, which has suffered years of disruption, insecurity and killings linked to armed groups.
While welcoming the development, the group urged security agencies and public officials to demonstrate sincerity and transparency in addressing insecurity, insisting that honesty is critical to restoring public trust.
HURIWA specifically called on the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to transparently resolve lingering controversies surrounding the status of a notorious terror suspect in Imo State, Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.
The group recalled that on Thursday, October 16, 2025, the DHQ announced the capture of Okorienta, said to be a commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN), adding that the military claimed he was in the custody of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Earlier reports in September had alleged that troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, alongside other security agencies, conducted a joint operation in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, where arms, ammunition, uniforms, motorcycles and a German flag were recovered from his hideout. However, subsequent accounts indicated that while his enclave was overrun, the suspect escaped, with his deputy killed and others arrested.
HURIWA noted that details of any later arrest, including the location and the unit holding the suspect, remain unclear, despite assurances from the DHQ that a statement would be issued.
The group further recalled that after reports of the suspect’s re-emergence, the DHQ debunked a viral video in which Gentle de Yahoo claimed he was alive and had returned. Speaking through the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military said the footage could have been generated using artificial intelligence.
Onoja stated: “What I can say is that in this era of AI, it is possible to create anything just to destabilize and cause panic within society.”
In the video referenced by HURIWA, a visibly limping man identified as Gentle de Yahoo alleged he was poisoned while in government custody and threatened to “restore peace” to Okigwe, while warning the governors of Imo and Anambra states.
HURIWA said Nigerians deserve clear, verifiable information from the authorities.
The group stated: “Nigerians are obviously watching the Nigerian Government and the Defence Headquarters to come out with a credible evidence of the situation of the alleged terrorism mastermind in Imo state ‘Gentle de Yahoo’. The Defence Headquarters owes Nigerians the duty to prove that there was no intention on their part to lie to Nigerians. The report of the investigation as promised by the Defence Headquarters should be publicised for Nigerians to read abd evaluate the credibility or otherwise of the probe.”
HURIWA stressed that transparency and accountability by security agencies are essential to sustaining peace and rebuilding confidence, especially as economic activities gradually return to normal in the South-East.
