The Department of State Services,DSS, with support from troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, has foiled a planned series of attacks and kidnappings allegedly orchestrated by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network, ESN, across the South-East.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence gathered by the DSS, which led to the arrest of two ESN field commanders on Monday in Garki, Enugu State. The suspects were said to be coordinating planned attacks on security checkpoints as well as the abduction of women, students and children in the region.
According to the sources, information obtained from the arrested commanders prompted the DSS to seek military backing from the 82 Division for a covert operation targeting the group’s hideouts.
The joint operation, carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday, led to raids on an ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State, where a cache of high-calibre weapons and other items was recovered.
Items recovered during the operation included a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade warheads, three RPG chargers, and 11 AK-47 rifles. Also recovered were 18 AK-47 magazines, 1,071 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two handheld grenades, one teargas gun, a baton, two teargas canisters, and one smoke grenade launcher.
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Security sources also disclosed that operatives recovered 10 NYSC trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards, which the suspects allegedly intended to use as cover while carrying out the planned attacks.
Further intelligence from the arrested commanders indicated that the group had planned coordinated attacks across South-East states aimed at spreading fear and creating the impression that insecurity had worsened across the region.
The development 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.
The suspects, among them two Nigeriens, were arrested in coordinated operations across Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states. Recovered from them were 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines, and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Security sources blamed the outlawed group for a series of kidnappings and attacks on security operatives in the South-East.
The Enugu operation also followed the recent arrest of several suspected members of the outlawed organisation in the state.
Crediblenewsng.com
