Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has praised the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Police Force following the recovery of a large cache of weapons and ammunition allegedly belonging to the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN), describing the operation as a breakthrough in the fight against insecurity in the Southeast.
The governor made the remarks on Friday after visiting the DSS headquarters in Enugu, where he inspected weapons and other items recovered during a security operation targeting suspected ESN commanders in the state.
The operation, carried out by DSS operatives with support from troops of the 82 Division Nigerian Army, led to the seizure of an extensive arsenal, including a rocket launcher, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) warheads and chargers, 11 AK-47 rifles, more than 610 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, as well as National Youth Service Corps uniforms and lanyards.
Accompanied by senior security officials, including Garrison Commander Brigadier General Abubakar Suru and Commissioner of Police Bitrus Giwa, Mbah commended the collaboration among security agencies, describing it as a clear demonstration of effective intelligence gathering and coordinated action against criminal elements.
According to the governor, the recovered weapons could have been deployed to carry out deadly attacks across the Southeast, creating widespread fear and giving the impression that insecurity had overwhelmed the region.
He said the successful operation underscored the importance of proactive intelligence-led security measures and reflected the commitment of security agencies to protecting lives and property.
Mbah also called on Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to combat insecurity across the country, regardless of political, ethnic, or religious differences. He credited recent security gains to increased collaboration between the Federal Government and state authorities.
The governor specifically expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, noting that federal support for state-level security initiatives had contributed significantly to the successes being recorded by security agencies nationwide.
Security sources indicated that the raid followed intelligence obtained from suspected ESN operatives already in custody. The intelligence reportedly revealed plans by the group to launch attacks in Enugu and other Southeast states in an effort to spread panic and project an image of escalating insecurity in the region.
The development comes amid intensified security operations across the country targeting terrorist groups, bandits, kidnappers, and other violent criminal networks.
In a related development, a Federal High Court in Abuja recently sentenced five individuals to 25 years’ imprisonment each for aiding the gunmen responsible for the November 2025 attack and abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. The convicts were reportedly apprehended through separate DSS operations.
Security analysts say the latest arms recovery highlights the growing role of intelligence-driven operations in disrupting planned attacks and dismantling criminal networks before they can execute acts of violence.
The seizure is being viewed as one of the most significant recoveries in the Southeast in recent months and a major boost to ongoing efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.
