Nigerian military reacts to trending video of ESN commander ‘Gentle De Yahoo’

The Nigerian Military has reacted to the trending video of Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, a notorious commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militia arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle De Yahoo in a new video shared online claimed that he was still alive and has returned to his normal activities.

Alleging that he was poisoned while in government custody, Okorienta in the new video, vowed to restore peace to Okigwe and its environs.

He also issued a warning to some governors of the South-East region, including Chukwuma Soludo and Hope Uzodimma.

Recall that the Nigerian Military had in October 2025 announced that Okorienta, who has been linked to various killings, kidnappings and attacks across the Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, had been captured

The announcement of his arrest by the military followed a viral video which captured the ESN commander gruesomely shooting three of his fighters to death in the bush.

Speaking on his supposed reappearance, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the video which was released on Thursday, January 29, could have been generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Onoja while responding to questions from journalists during a press briefing on Friday, said the military is making efforts to substantiate the authenticity of the video.

“What I can say is that in this era of AI, it is possible to create anything just to destabilise and cause panic within society.

“Notwithstanding, we will take necessary action, with relevant security agencies, to confirm if it is true that he is back, and then necessary action will be taken to contain any individual or group that threatens our security,” Onoja said.