DSS nabs five suspected arms couriers behind Niger school abduction

Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five individuals suspected of being arms couriers for the gunmen responsible for the abduction of students and staff from St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger State. The incident occurred on November 21, 2025, when nearly 300 people were taken from the school in Papiri Village.

The coordinated operations across Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi states led to the apprehension of the suspects, including two from Niger. Authorities believe these individuals supplied the weapons used in the mass abduction. Among those arrested was Yusuf Mohammed, also known as Bature, who is reportedly on a wanted list for his alleged membership in Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, also known as Boko Haram.

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five persons, including two Nigeriens, suspected to be arms couriers to gunmen who, on November 21, 2025, attacked St. Mary’s Catholic school in Papiri Village, Niger State, abducting nearly 300 students and staff.

During the arrests, security forces recovered a significant cache of arms, including 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines, and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. The suspects were allegedly intercepted while en route to collect a weapons consignment. Follow-up operations resulted in the arrest of Goni Ibrahim, identified as an international arms courier from Niger, and his alleged accomplice, Tukur Sani.

Security sources indicated that preliminary investigations link the five suspects to the supply chain for the gunmen who carried out the November 2025 attack. While approximately 50 students managed to escape during the initial raid, the remaining captives were later rescued on December 21, 2025, bringing the crisis to a close.

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One Yusuf Mohammed (a.k.a Bature), who is on the list of wanted members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad a.k.a Boko Haram terror organisation and his accomplice, Mubarak Ibrahim, were arrested on the Zaria Kaduna highway while on their way to collect a consignment of arms for their commanders.