The Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday foiled a major attempt by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to kidnap scores of students writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in some Southeast states.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, was said to have prevented planned attacks on schools located in Enugu, Anambra and Imo states.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the security agencies acted on intelligence provided by the DSS, leading to a joint operation by DSS operatives and military personnel at an ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State.
The statement indicated that intelligence reports suggested that the suspects intended to disguise themselves in National Youth Service Corps uniforms while carrying out the planned attacks.
“The raid led to the recovery of a cache of high-calibre arms, including eight AK-47 rifles, 12 AK-47 magazines and 323 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“Also recovered were one smoke grenade launcher, two teargas canisters, 10 NYSC trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.
“Intelligence further revealed that members of the terrorist organisation were to attack selected schools in the Southeast region to create the impression that bandits had invaded the region.
“Several members of the organisation were reportedly arrested. Earlier on Tuesday, a team comprising DSS operatives and soldiers, around the Garki area of Enugu, raided another ESN armoury,” the statement read.
Security sources further disclosed that the earlier raid yielded additional weapons and ammunition.
It added that a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade warheads, three RPG chargers and three AK-47 rifles were among the items recovered during the operation.
“Also recovered by the team were six AK-47 magazines, two handheld grenades, one teargas gun, a baton, two teargas canisters, 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition, 478 rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition, a bandolier and a baton.”
The latest operation came less than a week after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers allegedly linked to gunmen involved in the abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri Village, Niger State, on November 21, 2025.
