The Nigerian Army has declared notorious terror kingpin Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as “Gentle De Yahoo,” wanted and placed a ₦30 million reward on information leading to his arrest.
The wanted notice was issued by the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation Udo Ka, amid renewed security operations aimed at dismantling criminal and armed groups operating across the region. The military described Eze as a threat to peace and security in the South-East and appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending him.
₦30 Million Reward Offered
According to the military notice, a reward of ₦30 million awaits anyone who provides credible information that leads to the capture of the wanted kingpin.
The Army also urged residents to cooperate with security agencies and assured potential informants that information could be provided anonymously. Members of the public were advised not to confront the suspect themselves, but to immediately alert the appropriate security authorities if they have information about his whereabouts.
The notice forms part of the broader security campaign under Operation Udo Ka, an Army-led joint task force conducting operations against armed and criminal networks in the South-East.
Army Had Earlier Announced His Capture
The latest development has attracted particular attention because it follows an earlier announcement by the military that Eze had been captured.
In October 2025, the Defence Headquarters announced that troops of Operation Udo Ka had captured the suspected terror kingpin during an operation in Imo State between October 8 and 13, 2025.
At the time, military authorities identified Eze as a suspected commander associated with armed elements linked to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). He had also been listed among wanted individuals connected to violent activities in parts of Imo and Ebonyi states.
However, questions surrounding the reported capture emerged months later after Eze reportedly resurfaced.
Terror Kingpin Resurfaces
On January 28, 2026, a video circulated online in which a man identified as Eze appeared to announce that he was alive and had survived the military operation.
In the footage, he reportedly claimed that he had been receiving medical treatment in Akwa Ibom State after he and members of his group were poisoned. The video also contained threats against people he accused of betraying him.
The emergence of the video prompted renewed questions about the military’s earlier announcement of his capture.
Responding at the time, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the military was investigating the footage. He noted that advances in artificial intelligence made it possible for manipulated or fabricated videos to be produced, but added that security agencies would investigate to establish whether Eze had genuinely resurfaced.
Linked to Violence in Imo
Eze, who hails from Imo State, has been linked by security reports to violent activities in the Okigwe Local Government Area.
He has been identified as a commander of the Biafra Liberation Army in Okigwe, an armed group reportedly established by Simon Ekpa, the controversial Biafra separatist figure and leader of the Autopilot faction. Eze has also been associated with attacks and other violent incidents in the area.
The military’s renewed effort to locate him reflects the continuing security challenges confronting communities in parts of the South-East, where security agencies have been conducting operations against armed groups and criminal networks.
Public Urged to Assist Security Agencies
With the ₦30 million bounty now announced, the Army is relying partly on public intelligence to track down the wanted suspect.
Security authorities have urged anyone with credible information to use the designated contact channels rather than attempting to apprehend Eze independently.
The Army’s latest declaration also underscores the continuing efforts by security agencies to prevent armed groups from rebuilding their operational networks and to restore peace in communities affected by violence.
For residents of the affected areas, authorities say cooperation with security agencies remains essential in identifying hideouts, tracking suspected criminals and preventing further attacks.
The renewed hunt for “Gentle De Yahoo” is therefore expected to remain a major focus of security operations in the South-East as the military intensifies efforts to dismantle violent networks and apprehend individuals considered threats to public safety.