By David Lawani, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspected arms couriers, including two foreign nationals, allegedly linked to the gunmen behind the abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.
Security sources disclosed that the suspects were connected to the November 21, 2025 attack on the Catholic boarding school where armed men abducted nearly 300 students and teachers in one of the country’s largest recent school kidnappings.
Those arrested were identified as Yusuf Mohammed, also known as Bature; Mubarak Ibrahim; Goni Ibrahim; Tukur Sani; and Alhaji Adamu, popularly called Gado Banufe.
According to the sources, Yusuf Mohammed, said to be a wanted member of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, and Mubarak Ibrahim were intercepted along the Zaria-Kaduna highway while allegedly attempting to collect a consignment of weapons for terrorist commanders.
“Yusuf Mohammed alias Bature is on the wanted list of Boko Haram operatives. He and his accomplice were arrested during an intelligence-led operation while moving to receive arms supplies,” a security source said.
The arrests reportedly led operatives to Goni Ibrahim, described as an international arms courier from the Diffa Region of Niger Republic, and his associate, Tukur Sani.
Security sources said operatives recovered a large cache of weapons concealed inside a blue vehicle used by the suspects.
“The items recovered included 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition,” the source disclosed.
Days later, operatives also arrested another suspect, Alhaji Adamu alias Gado Banufe, in Yauri, Kebbi State.
“He is believed to be a major arms supplier operating around the Kebbi axis and has remained on the radar of security agencies,” another source said.
Investigations, according to the sources, revealed that the suspects served as arms couriers and logistics suppliers to the gunmen responsible for the Papiri school attack.
“The suspects played critical roles in transporting weapons and ammunition used by the criminal network behind the abduction,” the source added.
The Papiri attack occurred in the early hours of November 21, 2025, when dozens of gunmen riding motorcycles stormed the Catholic primary and secondary boarding school, forcing students and teachers into the surrounding forests at gunpoint.
While about 50 students escaped during the confusion, more than 250 victims were reportedly marched into the Kainji Lake Reserve forest.
The abduction triggered national outrage and renewed concerns over the persistent attacks on schools across northern Nigeria.
On December 21, 2025, the Federal Government and Niger State authorities confirmed the rescue and safe return of the remaining captives, declaring that no student remained in captivity.
Security officials said investigations are continuing to uncover other members of the arms trafficking network and dismantle cross-border supply chains aiding terrorist and bandit groups operating across the country.
