Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), in collaboration with troops of the Nigerian Army, have foiled a major plot by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to abduct students sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in parts of the South-East.
The planned attacks targeted schools in Enugu, Anambra and Imo states.
According to a statement released on Thursday, the operation followed credible intelligence provided by the DSS. Acting on the information, security operatives raided an ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State.
Intelligence further indicated that the attackers intended to carry out the operation disguised in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniforms.
“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.
The statement added that security operatives recovered additional weapons, including a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade 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, two teargas canisters, 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition, 478 rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition, a bandolier and a baton.”
The operation comes barely a week after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers 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.