The Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday raided an armoury of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Enugu State, recovering a large cache of high-calibre arms and ammunition.
Security sources disclosed that the joint-security raid on the ESN armoury came on the heels of intelligence that the terrorist organization was planning to unleash terror on some Southeast States to create the impression that bandits have invaded the region.
The recovery came barely a week after operatives of the Service 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.
The suspects, including two Nigeriens, were nabbed in coordinated operations across Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi States. Recovered from the men were 15 AK 103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition.
The Tuesday raid on ESN armoury in Enugu State came shortly after a recent arrest by the DSS of several suspected members of the outlawed organization in the State.
The highly-placed security source disclosed that the DSS operatives and soldiers launched the raid around the Garki area of Enugu, the State capital.
Recovered from the armoury, disclosed the source, was a rocket launcher, two RPG (rocket propelled grenade) warheads, three RPG chargers, and three AK-47 Rifles.
Continuing, the source stated that the raid led to the recovery of six AK-47 magazines, two handheld grenades, one teargas gun, a baton and two teargas canisters.
Also recovered from the ESN camp, stated the source, were 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition, 478 rounds of 7.62X39mm special ammunition, a bandolier and a baton, the source declared.
In a follow-up precision operation on Wednesday, the joint team of the DSS and soldiers, acting on credible intelligence, raided another armoury of the outlawed ESN members around Agbani axis of the same Enugu.
Sources confirmed the recovery of high-calibre armaments including eight AK-47 Rifles, one Smoke Grenade Launcher, two Tear gas canisters, 12 AK-47 magazines, and 323 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition . Also recovered were ten NYSC trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards.
A source noted that the outlawed group has been responsible for series of kidnappings and attacks on security operatives in the Southeast region of the country.