DSS arrests five, foreign suspects, over Papiri school kidnap

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested five suspects, including two foreign nationals, over their alleged role in supplying arms to gunmen involved in the 2025 attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.

Security sources said the suspects were linked to the November 21, 2025 attack in which nearly 300 students and staff were abducted.

Among those arrested are Yusuf Mohammed, also known as Bature, who is reportedly on the watchlist of the Boko Haram, and his associate Mubarak Ibrahim. The duo were apprehended along the Zaria-Kaduna highway while allegedly heading to receive a consignment of weapons.

Further operations led to the arrest of Goni Ibrahim from the Diffa region of Niger Republic, alongside his accomplice Tukur Sani.

Recovered from the suspects was a cache of weapons concealed in a vehicle, including 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

In a separate operation days later, another suspect, Alhaji Adamu, also known as Gado Banufe, was arrested in Yauri, Kebbi State for allegedly supplying arms within the region.

Investigations indicate that the five suspects acted as arms couriers to the gunmen who carried out the Papiri school attack.

During the incident, dozens of armed men stormed the Catholic boarding school in the early hours, abducting hundreds of students and teachers. While some victims escaped during the chaos, many were taken into the Kainji Lake Reserve forest.

Authorities later confirmed that all abducted victims were rescued and safely returned by December 21, 2025, bringing an end to the month-long ordeal.

Security agencies say investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to dismantle networks supporting armed groups across the country.