Joint DSS-Military Team Foils Abduction Of WAEC Students In Southeast

The Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army, on Wednesday foiled a major attempt by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to kidnap scores of students writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in some Southeast states.

Security sources said ESN targeted schools in Enugu, Anambra and Imo States.

One of the sources said while acting on credible intelligence from DSS, officers of the secret police and soldiers raided an armoury of the ESN in Agbani axis of Enugu State.

According to the sources, 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 was one smoke grenade launcher, two teargas canisters, 10 NYSC trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.

One of the source disclosed that intelligence revealed that the ESN members were to have launched the attacks wearing the NYSC uniforms.

According to him, “Members of the terrorist organization were to have attacked select schools in the Southeast region to create the impression that bandits have invaded the region. Several members of the organization were reportedly arrested.”

Earlier on Tuesday, a team comprising DSS operatives and soldiers around the Garki area of Enugu, raided another ESN armoury.

A rocket launcher, two RPG (rocket propelled grenade) warheads, three RPG chargers, and three AK-47 rifles were among the arms recovered by the security team.

Also recovered by the team were six AK-47 magazines, two handheld grenades, one teargas gun, a baton and two teargas canisters, 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition, 478 rounds of 7.62X39mm special ammunition, a bandolier and a baton.

The recoveries came barely a week after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers linked to gunmen who abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri Village, Niger State, on November 21, 2025.