DSS Arrests Two Foreign Nationals, Three Others Over Niger School Kidnapping

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspected arms couriers, including two foreign nationals from Niger Republic, in connection with the November 2025 abduction of nearly 300 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.

Security sources disclosed that the suspects were apprehended during a series of intelligence-led operations that also led to the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons, including 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines, and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

According to reports, those arrested include Yusuf Mohammed, popularly known as Bature, who is reportedly on the wanted list of the Boko Haram terrorist group, formally known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, and his associate, Mubarak Ibrahim.

The two suspects were intercepted along the Zaria-Kaduna Highway while allegedly on their way to collect a consignment of arms intended for terrorist commanders.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Goni Ibrahim, identified by security operatives as an international arms courier from the Diffa Region of Niger Republic, alongside his alleged accomplice, Tukur Sani.

Security sources said the recovered weapons and ammunition were concealed in a blue vehicle used by the suspects during their movement.

In a related operation, DSS operatives arrested another suspected member of the trafficking network, Alhaji Adamu, popularly known as Gado Banufe, in Yauri, Kebbi State. He is alleged to be a major supplier of arms to criminal elements operating within the Kebbi axis.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the five suspects served as arms suppliers and couriers to the gunmen responsible for the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School on November 21, 2025.

During the attack, dozens of heavily armed gunmen riding motorcycles reportedly stormed the Catholic primary and secondary school, abducting students and teachers at gunpoint.

Although about 50 pupils escaped during the incident, more than 250 others were taken into the Kainji Lake National Park forest area, where they remained in captivity for several weeks.

The Federal Government and Niger State authorities later confirmed the rescue and safe return of the remaining captives on December 21, 2025, more than a month after the abduction. Officials said all the victims were successfully recovered and reunited with their families.

Security sources noted that the latest arrests are expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to dismantle arms trafficking networks and ensure that all those linked to the Papiri school abduction are brought to justice.