Operatives of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), working alongside troops of the Nigerian Army, have thwarted what authorities described as a major plot by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to abduct scores of students sitting the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) across parts of the South-East.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the planned attacks were aimed at schools in Enugu, Anambra and Imo states. Acting on intelligence gathered by the DSS, security operatives reportedly carried out a raid on an ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State, uncovering weapons and other materials allegedly linked to the operation.
The statement said intelligence indicated that the attackers intended to disguise themselves in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniforms while carrying out the kidnappings. During the raid, security personnel recovered eight AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 323 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a smoke grenade launcher, two teargas canisters, and several items of NYSC-branded clothing, including trousers, T-shirts and lanyards.
Authorities further alleged that the operation was designed to create the impression that bandits had infiltrated the South-East. Several suspects were said to have been arrested during the operation.
In a separate raid conducted on Tuesday in the Garki area of Enugu, a joint team of DSS operatives and soldiers reportedly uncovered another ESN armoury. Among the items recovered were a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade warheads, three RPG chargers, three AK-47 rifles, six magazines, two handheld grenades, a teargas gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
The latest operation comes less than a week after the DSS announced the arrest of 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, in November 2025.
Had the alleged plot succeeded, it would likely have intensified fears over a resurgence of school kidnappings in Nigeria. The country has witnessed a series of mass abductions targeting pupils and students in recent years, prompting repeated calls for stronger protection of educational institutions and heightened security around examination centres.
