Nigeria Security Forces Foil ESN Plot to Kidnap Students During Exams, Recover Weapons

Security forces in Nigeria have thwarted a plot by the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to abduct students during their West African Senior School Certificate Examination. Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) and soldiers from the Nigerian Army acted on intelligence to raid an ESN armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State.

The raid resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of high-caliber arms. Recovered items included eight AK-47 rifles, 12 AK-47 magazines, and 323 rounds of ammunition. Security forces also found a smoke grenade launcher, two teargas canisters, and several items of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniforms, which the ESN allegedly planned to use to disguise themselves during the attacks.

“

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.

Intelligence indicated that the ESN members intended to attack selected schools in Enugu, Anambra, and Imo states. The goal was to simulate bandit attacks and spread panic across the Southeast region. The DSS statement noted that several ESN members were arrested during the operation. A separate raid in Enugu also yielded a rocket launcher, grenade warheads, and multiple firearms.

This foiled abduction attempt comes just a week after the DSS arrested five suspected arms couriers linked to a previous student kidnapping in Niger State. Had the ESN's plan succeeded, it would have intensified concerns over the recurring school kidnappings that have plagued Nigeria, with students repeatedly targeted by criminal and terrorist groups.

“

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.