South East: DSS Foils ESN Plot To Abduct WAEC Students

The Department of State Services, DSS has foiled the attempt by some members of  the proscribed Eastern Security Network, ESN to kidnap scores of students during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination in some states in the south east.

The operation, according to a statement issued by the DSS on Thursday was carried out alongside the Nigerian Army.

ESN is an affiliate of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB whose leader, Maxi Nnamdi Kanu was jailed last year by the federal government. The group has been blamed for the violent crimes in the region, including the abduction, killings of innocent residents in the five south east states.

According to the statement issued today by Nigeria’s Secret Police, the suspected ESN members have targeted three states in the region; Anambra, Enugu and Imo states for their latest operation, but failed after the DSS and soldiers, acting on credible intelligence foiled the attack.

The DSS stressed in the statement that following the arrest of the suspected ESN members,  some automatic weapons, including AK-47 and rounds of ammunition were recovered from them, noting that the criminals had planned to dress in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC  uniforms to carry out the nefarious attack.

“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,”  DSS said.

“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.

“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.”