Nigeria DSS arrests five suspected arms couriers in school abduction probe

Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended five individuals suspected of acting as arms couriers for the gunmen responsible for the November 2025 abduction of students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State. The operation led to the arrest of two Nigerien nationals alongside three Nigerians across Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi states.

Authorities believe these suspects supplied the weapons used in the mass kidnapping of nearly 300 victims. During coordinated operations, security forces recovered a significant cache of arms, including 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines, and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed in a vehicle. One of the arrested men, Yusuf Mohammed, also known as Bature, is reportedly on the wanted list of 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.

Security sources indicated that the five suspects served as conduits for arms destined for the militants who attacked the school. The abduction, which occurred in the early hours of November 21, 2025, saw dozens of armed men storm the boarding school. While approximately 50 students managed to escape, the remaining captives were taken into the Kainji Lake Reserve forest. Authorities later confirmed the safe rescue of all remaining captives on December 21, 2025, concluding the crisis.

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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.