The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspected arms couriers, including two foreign nationals from Niger Republic, in connection with the abduction of nearly 300 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village, Niger State.
According to credible security sources, the suspects were linked to gunmen who attacked the school on November 21, 2025, carrying out one of the most significant mass kidnappings in the state.
Security sources disclosed that a large cache of weapons was recovered during the operation, including 15 AK-47 rifles and 1,434 rounds of live ammunition.
Among those arrested are Yusuf Mohammed, also known as Bature, who is reportedly on the list of wanted members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, commonly known as Boko Haram, and his alleged accomplice, Mubarak Ibrahim.
The sources said the two suspects were intercepted on the Zaria-Kaduna Highway while travelling to collect a consignment of arms intended for their commanders.
