Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), supported by troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, have reportedly foiled plans by suspected members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to launch attacks on security checkpoints and carry out kidnappings across the Southeast.
Gatekeepers News reports that the operation followed intelligence gathered by the DSS, leading to the arrest of two alleged ESN field commanders in Garki, Enugu State, on Monday.
According to the reports, information obtained from the suspects prompted the DSS to seek military support from the 82 Division, resulting in a covert operation that led to raids on a suspected ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The operation reportedly led to the recovery of a 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, according to the sources, include 18 AK-47 magazines, 1,071 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two handheld grenades, a teargas gun, a baton, smoke grenade launcher and several teargas canisters.
Security operatives also recovered 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.
The uniforms were intended to be used as a cover during planned attacks, according to reports.
Intelligence obtained from the suspects allegedly revealed plans by the group to carry out coordinated attacks across the Southeast, targeting security formations while kidnapping women, students and children to spread fear and heighten insecurity in the region.
The Enugu operation comes barely a week 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, on November 21, 2025.
The suspects, including two Nigerien nationals, were reportedly arrested during coordinated operations in Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states.
Items recovered during that operation included 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
The outlawed group were said to have been linked to a series of attacks on security personnel and kidnapping incidents in the Southeast.
The latest raids in Enugu followed the recent arrest of several suspected members of the group by DSS operatives in the state.
