…Recover machine gun, rocket launcher, huge arms cache
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, raided an armoury of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Enugu State during which they recovered a large cache of high-calibre arms and ammunition.
Security sources disclosed that the raid on the ESN armoury came on the heels of intelligence that the terrorist organization was planning to unleash terror on some Southeast states to create the impression that bandits have invaded the region.
The Tuesday raid on ESN armoury in Enugu State came shortly after a recent arrest by the DSS of several suspected members of the outlawed organization in the state.
A highly-placed security source disclosed that the DSS operatives and soldiers launched the raid around the Garki area of Enugu, the state capital.
It was further gathered that the recovery came barely a week after operatives of the DSS 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.
The suspects, including two Nigeriens, were arrested in coordinated operations across Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states.
Recovered from the arrested men were 15 AK 103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition.
Also recovered from the armoury, it was further gathered, was a rocket launcher, two RPG (rocket propelled grenade) warheads, three RPG chargers, and three AK-47 Rifles.
The source also stated that the raid led to the recovery of six AK-47 magazines, two handheld grenades, one teargas gun, a baton and two teargas canisters.
Other items recovered from the ESN camp, according to the source, included 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition, 478 rounds of 7.62X39mm special ammunition, a bandolier and a baton.
It was also gathered that a follow-up precision operation on Wednesday, witnessed the joint team of the DSS and army, acting on credible intelligence, raided another armoury of the outlawed ESN members around Agbani axis of the same Enugu.
Sources confirmed the recovery of high-calibre armaments including eight AK-47 Rifles, one Smoke Grenade Launcher, two Tear gas canisters, 12 AK-47 magazines, and 323 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Also recovered were ten NYSC trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.
Security sources said that the outlawed group has been responsible for series of kidnappings and attacks on security operatives in the Southeast.
