The Department of State Services, DSS, backed by troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, on Wednesday foiled plans by members of the proscribed Eastern Security Network, ESN, to attack security checkpoints and kidnap women, students and children across the Southeast.
A security source disclosed that two ESN field commanders coordinating the planned attacks were apprehended on Monday in Garki, Enugu State, acting on DSS intelligence.
Based on leads from the arrested commanders, DSS sought the backing of 82 Division troops and executed a covert operation. DSS officers and soldiers raided an ESN armoury in the Agbani axis of Enugu State on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The raids led to the recovery of a cache of high-calibre arms: one rocket launcher, two RPG warheads, three RPG chargers and 11 AK-47 rifles.
Security forces also recovered 18 AK-47 magazines, 1,071 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two handheld grenades, one teargas gun, a baton and two teargas canisters.
–NYSC uniforms for disguise–
The source said the team also recovered one smoke grenade launcher, two teargas canisters, 10 NYSC trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.
Intelligence disclosed ESN members planned to use the NYSC uniforms as cover to launch the attacks.
Intelligence from the arrested field commanders showed the group planned massive attacks across Southeast states to kidnap women, students and children, spread fear and create the impression that the region had been overtaken by insecurity.
—Recent related arrests—
The Enugu recoveries came barely a week after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers linked to gunmen who abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri Village, Niger State, on November 21, 2025.
Recovered from the men nabbed in Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi were 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
The raids in Enugu came shortly after DSS recently arrested several suspected ESN members in the state.
The outlawed group has been responsible for a series of kidnappings and attacks on security operatives in the Southeast.
