DSS, Army Stop Planned Abduction of WAEC Candidates in South-East, Recover Weapons
DSS, Army Stop Planned Abduction of WAEC Candidates in South-East, Recover Weapons
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled an alleged plot by members of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to abduct students participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in parts of the South-East.
The planned attacks were said to target schools in Enugu, Anambra and Imo states.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the DSS disclosed that its operatives, working alongside military personnel, acted on intelligence reports and raided an ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State.
According to the agency, intelligence gathered showed that the suspects intended to carry out the attacks while dressed 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 partly read.
The DSS further revealed that security operatives recovered additional weapons from the second operation, including a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade 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 operation comes just days 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.
Security experts say the successful operation may have prevented another major school kidnapping incident, at a time when concerns remain high over attacks on educational institutions across the country. In recent years, several mass abductions of students have drawn widespread national and international attention, leading to increased security around schools.
