ENUGU — Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), working in collaboration with troops of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, have thwarted an alleged plot by members of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to carry out coordinated attacks across the Southeast.
Security sources told journalists on Thursday that the operation began with intelligence gathered by the DSS, leading to the arrest of two suspected ESN field commanders in Garki, Enugu State, on Monday.
According to the sources, the suspects were allegedly coordinating plans to attack security checkpoints and execute a series of kidnappings targeting women, students and children in various parts of the region.
“The intelligence obtained from the arrested commanders revealed plans for widespread attacks designed to create fear and disrupt security operations across the Southeast,” a security source said.
The source added that information extracted during preliminary investigations prompted the DSS to seek military support from the 82 Division, leading to a joint covert operation in Enugu State.
Acting on the intelligence, DSS operatives and soldiers reportedly conducted raids on an ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu on Tuesday and Wednesday, recovering a substantial cache of weapons and military equipment.
Items recovered during the operation included a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) warheads, three RPG chargers and 11 AK-47 rifles.
Security operatives also recovered 18 AK-47 magazines, 1,071 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two handheld grenades, a teargas gun, a baton, two teargas canisters and a smoke grenade launcher.
In a development described as particularly concerning, investigators recovered 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.
“The uniforms were allegedly intended to be used as disguises by operatives during planned attacks, enabling them to move unsuspected in targeted locations,” another source disclosed.
Security officials said intelligence gathered from the suspects indicated that the group intended to launch attacks across several Southeast states to create panic, undermine public confidence in security agencies and portray the region as overwhelmed by insecurity.
“The objective was to generate widespread fear and project an image of total security breakdown in the region,” the source added.
The operation comes barely a week after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers allegedly linked to the November 21, 2025 abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri Village, Niger State.
The suspects, including two Nigerien nationals, were apprehended during coordinated operations in Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states. Security agents recovered 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition during the arrests.
Security sources described the latest operation as a major setback for the outlawed group, which has been linked to kidnappings and attacks on security personnel in parts of the Southeast.
“This recovery significantly disrupts the operational capabilities of the network and demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing intelligence-led operations,” a security source said.
The raid on the Enugu armoury follows a series of recent DSS operations in the state that resulted in the arrest of several suspected members of the group, underscoring continuing efforts by security agencies to dismantle criminal networks and prevent future attacks.
