…Recover high-calibre arms cache, ammunition
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 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.
Security sources said the ESN terrorists targeted schools in Enugu, Anambra and Imo States.
However, acting on credible intelligence from DSS, one of the sources said, officers of the DSS and soldiers raided an armoury of the ESN in Agbani axis of Enugu State.
The raid, it was gathered, 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 was one smoke grenade launcher, two teargas canisters, 10 NYSC trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.
The source also said that intelligence revealed that the ESN members were to have launched the attacks wearing the NYSC uniforms.
Intelligence revealed that members of the terrorist organization were to have attacked select schools in the Southeast region to create the impression that bandits have invaded the region.
The source further said that several members of the organization have been arrested by the joint security agencies.
Similarly, on Tuesday, a team comprising DSS operatives and soldiers around the Garki area of Enugu, raided another ESN armoury during which a rocket launcher, two RPG (rocket propelled grenade) warheads, three RPG chargers, and three AK-47 rifles were recovered.
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.
The 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.
The suspects, including two Nigeriens, were nabbed in coordinated operations across Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states. Recovered from the men were 15 AK 103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition.
The outlawed group has been responsible for series of kidnappings and attacks on security operatives in the state, declared the source.
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.
The highly-placed security source disclosed that the DSS operatives and soldiers launched the raid.
