Joint DSS and Military Team Thwarted Abduction Of WAEC Students In Southeast

Joint DSS and Military Team Thwarted Abduction Of WAEC Students In Southeast

The Department of State Services (DSS), in collaboration with troops of the Nigerian Army, has thwarted an alleged plot by members of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to abduct candidates participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) across parts of the South-East.

Security sources disclosed that the planned attacks targeted selected schools in Enugu, Anambra, and Imo states.

According to the sources, the operation followed actionable intelligence provided by the DSS, which led operatives and military personnel to raid an ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State on Wednesday.

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The security team reportedly recovered eight AK-47 rifles, 12 AK-47 magazines, and 323 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Other items recovered included a smoke grenade launcher, two teargas canisters, 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts, and four NYSC lanyards.

A source familiar with the operation revealed that intelligence reports indicated that the suspects planned to disguise themselves in NYSC uniforms while carrying out the attacks.

“Members of the terrorist organisation were to have attacked select schools in the South-East region to create the impression that bandits had invaded the area,” the source said, adding that several suspects were arrested during the operation.

The latest raid came a day after another joint operation involving DSS operatives and soldiers uncovered a separate ESN armoury in Enugu State's Garki area.

During that operation, security personnel recovered a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) warheads, three RPG chargers, and three AK-47 rifles.

Additional items recovered included six AK-47 magazines, two handheld grenades, a teargas gun, two teargas canisters, 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition, 478 rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition, a bandolier, and a baton.

The development comes barely a week after DSS operatives arrested 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, on November 21, 2025.

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