The Nigerian military has announced the arrest of a wanted commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), identified as ‘Gentle’, along with eight of his accomplices during coordinated operations across Imo and Ebonyi States.

The disclosure was made by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Magnus Kangye, during a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday. He said the arrest was part of ongoing military efforts to tackle insecurity and terrorist activities in the South-East region.

“Between 8 and 13 October, troops 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 LGAs of Imo State, as well as Izzi and Ohaukwu LGAs of Ebonyi State,” Kangye revealed.

According to him, the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA has sustained offensive operations across the region, leading to the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and vehicles used by the suspects.

In a related development, a female collaborator reportedly linked to IPOB’s armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), was also arrested in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State on October 13.

Kangye added that the arrests form part of a series of operational successes recently recorded by the Armed Forces nationwide, reaffirming the military’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in all troubled regions of the country.