The Department of State Services (DSS), with the support of troops from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, has reportedly thwarted a planned operation by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to launch coordinated attacks on security checkpoints and carry out mass abductions across states in the Southeast.
Security sources disclosed that two suspected ESN field commanders believed to be coordinating the planned attacks were arrested on Monday in Garki, Enugu State, following intelligence gathering by the DSS.
According to the sources, information obtained from the suspects led to a joint covert operation involving DSS operatives and military personnel. The operation culminated in raids conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday on a suspected ESN armoury located in the Agbani area of Enugu State.
During the raids, security operatives reportedly recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition, including a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) warheads, three RPG chargers, and 11 AK-47 rifles. Other items recovered included 18 AK-47 magazines, 1,071 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two handheld grenades, a teargas gun, a baton, a smoke grenade launcher, and several teargas canisters.
Investigators also recovered 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts, and four NYSC lanyards. Intelligence reports indicated that the uniforms were allegedly intended to be used as disguises during the planned operations.
Sources familiar with the investigation said intelligence gathered from the arrested suspects revealed plans by members of the group to carry out widespread attacks across the Southeast, targeting security formations while abducting women, students, and children in a bid to spread fear and create the impression of escalating insecurity in the region.
The development comes days after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers allegedly linked to gunmen involved in the abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri Village, Niger State, in November 2025. The suspects, including two nationals of the Niger Republic, were apprehended during coordinated operations in Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi states.
Security operatives reportedly recovered 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines, and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the suspects.
Security sources maintained that the outlawed group has been linked to a series of attacks on security personnel and kidnapping incidents in parts of the Southeast. The latest raids in Enugu followed the recent arrest of several other suspected members of the organisation in the state.
