‘We Will Confirm If He Is Back’ – DHQ Breaks Silence on Video of Gentle De Yahoo

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has claimed that the viral video of Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle De Yahoo, in which the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) commander claimed to have staged a return, is fake.

The DHQ, on Friday, through its Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the video could have been generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Naija News recalls that a video of Gentle De Yahoo emerged and went viral on social media in which a visibly limping IPOB loyalist announced his return. He alleged in the video that he was poisoned while in government custody, and vowed to restore peace to Okigwe.

The Eastern Security Network (ESN) commander also issued warnings to the governors of Imo and Anambra states, Hope Uzodimma and Chukwuma Soludo.

However, General Onoja, during a press briefing on Friday, dismissed the video.

He said, “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.”

He, however, added that the military would further investigate the video and the claim, assuring that necessary action would be taken to ensure peace in the country.

“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.

Naija News recalls that in 2025, the wanted ESN Commander was reportedly captured by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in a joint operation with sister security agencies at his hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

The reported capture was, however, trailed by confusion as no official confirmation was given on the operation.