The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested five suspects linked to the abduction of hundreds of students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State.
The arrests were disclosed by security analyst platform Zagazola Makama, which said those detained include a wanted Boko Haram member and two Nigerien nationals allegedly involved in supplying arms to the gunmen behind the attack.
The mass abduction occurred in November 2025 when armed men invaded the school in Papiri village and abducted 315 people, comprising 303 students and 12 teachers. About 50 pupils reportedly escaped within 24 hours, while the remaining victims were later released in phases over subsequent weeks.
Suspects and alleged roles
According to the report, one of the suspects, Yusuf Mohammed (also known as Bature), was allegedly on a wanted list of Boko Haram members. He was arrested alongside an accomplice, Mubarak Ibrahim, along the Zaria–Kaduna highway while reportedly en route to collect a weapons consignment.
Security sources said a cache of arms was recovered from them, including 15 AK rifles and 1,434 rounds of live ammunition.
A follow-up operation reportedly led to the arrest of Goni Ibrahim, described as an international arms courier from the Diffa region of the Niger Republic, alongside another suspect identified as Tukur Sani.
Investigators also reportedly recovered 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines, and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside a vehicle allegedly used by the suspects.
Another suspected member of the arms trafficking network, identified as Alhaji Adamu (also known as Gado Banufe), was later arrested in Yauri, Kebbi State.
Ongoing investigation
Security sources cited in the report claimed the suspects formed part of an arms supply network that supported the gunmen responsible for the mass abduction at the Catholic boarding school.
The Department of State Services has not yet issued an official statement on the arrests, while investigations into the case are said to be ongoing.