DSS and army operatives foiled alleged ESN plot to abduct WAEC students in South-East and recovered arms in raids.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), working alongside troops of the Nigerian Army, have thwarted an alleged plot by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to abduct students sitting the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) across parts of the South-East.
Security sources disclosed that the planned attacks were aimed at selected schools in Enugu, Anambra and Imo States.
According to a highly placed security source, the operation followed actionable intelligence indicating that members of the group were preparing coordinated attacks on examination centres in the region.
Acting on the intelligence, DSS operatives and military personnel on Wednesday raided an ESN armoury in the Agbani axis of Enugu State, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and other items.
The source revealed that the security team recovered eight AK-47 rifles, 12 AK-47 magazines, 323 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one smoke grenade launcher and two tear gas canisters.
Also recovered were 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.
According to the source, intelligence reports indicated that the attackers intended to disguise themselves in NYSC uniforms during the operation.
The source further disclosed that members of the terrorist group had planned to target selected schools across the South-East in a bid to create the impression that bandits had infiltrated the region.
Several suspected members of the organisation were reportedly arrested during the operation.
The latest breakthrough came a day after another joint DSS-military operation in the Garki area of Enugu State, where security operatives uncovered and raided a separate ESN armoury.
Among the weapons recovered during Tuesday’s operation were a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) warheads, three RPG chargers and three AK-47 rifles.
“Also recovered by the team were six AK-47 magazines, two handheld grenades, one teargas gun, a baton and two teargas canisters, 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition, 478 rounds of 7.62X39mm special ammunition, a bandolier and a baton,” the source added.
Security sources said the operation followed the recent arrest of several suspected members of the outlawed organisation in Enugu State, which provided intelligence that led to the discovery of the armouries.
The development also comes barely a week after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers linked to the gunmen responsible for the abduction of students and staff of St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri Village, Niger State, on 21 November 2025.
The suspects, including two Nigerien nationals, were apprehended in coordinated operations conducted across Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi States.
Security operatives recovered 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the suspects.
The outlawed ESN has been linked to a series of kidnappings and attacks on security personnel in the South-East, according to security sources.
The source maintained that the successful operations underscore ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle the group’s operational networks and prevent attacks on civilians and critical institutions across the region.
