(DDM) – The Organization of Igbo Communities (OIC) has challenged the Defence Headquarters’ announcement on the alleged arrest of IPOB commander, Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle De Yahoo.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learned that the group expressed strong reservations over what it described as “one-sided narratives” and “targeted military operations” against Igbo communities in the South-East.
In a statement released on Thursday, the OIC said the pattern of arrests carried out under the guise of security enforcement appeared to single out innocent citizens without verifiable evidence.
The group claimed that numerous individuals had been apprehended across several southeastern towns, yet no clear proof linked many of them to any act of terrorism or violent extremism.
It argued that the continuous profiling of young men in the region as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) undermines peace efforts and fuels deeper mistrust between communities and the military.
The OIC further demanded fairness, accountability, and transparency from the Defence Headquarters in handling security operations in the South-East, noting that justice must never be sacrificed for propaganda or political convenience.
According to the group, the Defence Headquarters’ statement on the capture of Gentle De Yahoo lacked detailed evidence and failed to address key questions surrounding the alleged operation.
It said, “We call on the Nigerian authorities to ensure that every suspect is given a fair hearing. Arbitrary arrests and secret detentions do not promote peace or national unity.”
OIC urged both local and international human rights organizations to monitor the situation closely to prevent abuses and protect civilians caught in the ongoing security crackdown.
The group also called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to engage stakeholders in meaningful dialogue rather than relying solely on force, which it described as counterproductive in a region already battling economic hardship and social discontent.
It added that any sustainable peace effort must be rooted in justice, truth, and respect for the rights of all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or political affiliations.
The OIC reminded the government that rebuilding trust between security forces and civilians in the South-East requires openness, accountability, and community participation in peacebuilding processes.
Observers note that tension in the region has persisted since the government intensified its clampdown on suspected members of IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
While the military claims success in combating insecurity, residents and local organizations have repeatedly raised concerns over alleged human rights violations and the labeling of innocent persons as insurgents.
The arrest of Gentle De Yahoo, if confirmed, adds to a growing list of controversial security operations that continue to shape public discourse around justice, ethnic relations, and state accountability in Nigeria’s South-East.
The Organization of Igbo Communities insisted that only a fair and transparent process can ensure peace and prevent future unrest in the region.
