Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), in conjunction with troops of the Nigerian Army, have raided suspected armouries belonging to the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Enugu State, seizing a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
Security sources told Zagagola Makama the operations came after credible intelligence that the group’s members were planning attacks in parts of the South-East.
The first operation was in the Garki area of Enugu State on Tuesday, where security operatives discovered an armoury filled with sophisticated weapons.
The raid recovered a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade warheads, three RPG chargers, three AK-47 rifles and six AK-47 magazines.
They also recovered two hand grenades, a teargas gun, two teargas canisters, 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition and 478 rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition.
They also recovered a bandolier and a baton.
The operation was based on intelligence that the group was planning attacks in some states in the region, a security source said.
“The operation was intelligence-based and targeted facilities that were used by the group for storage of weapons and other logistics,” the source said.
The raid came just after the arrest of some suspected members of the outlawed group in the state.
In a follow up operation on Wednesday the joint security team reportedly raided another suspected armoury in the Agbani area of Enugu State.
The operation yielded eight AK-47 rifles, one smoke grenade launcher, 12 AK-47 magazines, two teargas canisters and 323 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Operatives also recovered 10 National Youth Service Corps trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards from the location, security sources said.
Investigations are continuing to determine the purpose of the recovered items and identify other members of the network.
This latest operation comes barely a week after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers linked to gunmen involved in the abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri Village, Niger State.
The suspects, which include two Nigerien nationals, were arrested during a coordinated operation in Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states.
The suspects were found to be in possession of 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Security sources said the recent operations showed the continued efforts by security agencies to dismantle networks of arms trafficking and prevent attacks by criminal and terrorist groups across the country.
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