Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), working with troops of the Nigerian Army, have raided two suspected armouries linked to the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Enugu State, recovering a cache of arms, ammunition and other items.

Security sources said the operations, conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, were based on intelligence reports indicating that members of the group were planning attacks in parts of the Southeast.

According to the sources, the first operation took place around the Garki area of Enugu, where operatives uncovered an armoury containing sophisticated weapons.

Items recovered included a rocket launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade warheads, three RPG chargers, three AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, two handheld grenades, a teargas gun and two teargas canisters.

The operatives also recovered 270 rounds of NATO 7.62x39mm ammunition, 478 rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition, a bandolier and a baton.

“The operation was intelligence-driven and targeted facilities used by the group for storing weapons and other logistics,” a security source said.

The source added that the raid followed intelligence suggesting that the group was planning attacks in some states across the Southeast.

In a follow-up operation on Wednesday, the joint security team raided another suspected armoury along the Agbani axis of Enugu State.

During the operation, security operatives recovered eight AK-47 rifles, a smoke grenade launcher, 12 AK-47 magazines, two teargas canisters and 323 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

The team also recovered 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards from the location.

Sources said investigations were ongoing to determine the intended use of the recovered items and to identify other members of the network.

The operations came days 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 Niger State.

The suspects, including two Nigeriens, were reportedly arrested during coordinated operations across Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states, leading to the recovery of 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

Security sources said the recent operations highlighted ongoing efforts by security agencies to disrupt arms trafficking networks and prevent attacks by criminal and terrorist groups across the country.