By Godwin Akomah, Umuahia
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), in collaboration with troops of the Nigerian Army, have foiled an alleged plot by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to abduct scores of students sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in parts of the Southeast.
The planned attacks by the militia wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), according to the DSS, targeted schools in Enugu, Anambra and Imo states and were aimed at creating panic, chaos and insecurity across the region.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the secret police disclosed that its operatives, acting on credible intelligence alongside military personnel, raided an ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State, leading to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition.
The DSS said intelligence reports indicated that members of the group intended to launch the attacks while disguised in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniforms.
“The raid 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 were one smoke grenade launcher, two teargas canisters, 10 NYSC trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.
“Intelligence further revealed that members of the terrorist organisation were to attack selected schools in the Southeast region to create the impression that bandits had invaded the region.
“Several members of the organisation were reportedly arrested. Earlier on Tuesday, a team comprising DSS operatives and soldiers, around the Garki area of Enugu, raided another ESN armoury,” the statement said.
The agency further disclosed that the security team recovered additional weapons during the earlier operation.
According to the statement, the items recovered included a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) warheads, three RPG chargers and three AK-47 rifles.
“Also recovered by the team were six AK-47 magazines, two handheld grenades, one teargas gun, a baton, two teargas canisters, 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition, 478 rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition, a bandolier and a baton,” the DSS added.
The latest operation comes barely a week after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers allegedly linked to gunmen responsible for the abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri Village, Niger State, on November 21, 2025.
The foiled plot is expected to ease concerns over the safety of students writing the ongoing WASSCE, amid renewed fears of school-targeted attacks in parts of the country.
Nigeria has witnessed several high-profile school abductions in recent years, with students frequently targeted by criminal and terrorist groups. The incidents have attracted widespread national and international attention and prompted authorities to strengthen security around educational institutions.
Security agencies said ongoing intelligence-led operations would continue to dismantle criminal networks and prevent attacks on vulnerable targets across the country.
