● 15 AK rifles, 1,434 live rounds recovered as security forces trace weapons to Boko Haram commanders
The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested five suspected arms couriers, including two Nigeriens, tied to the November 21, 2025 attack on St. Mary’s Catholic school in Papiri, Niger State, where nearly 300 students and staff were abducted.
Security sources say the arrests and a large weapons haul may cut a key supply line to gunmen operating around Kainji Lake Reserve.
—Arms cache intercepted—
Recovered from the suspects: 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines, and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, all concealed in an unnamed blue car.
The first breakthrough came on Zaria-Kaduna highway where Yusuf Mohammed aka “Bature” — a wanted Boko Haram commander — and accomplice Mubarak Ibrahim were caught en route to collect an arms consignment for their commanders.
Follow-up operations led to Goni Ibrahim, an international courier from Diffa Region, Niger Republic, and Tukur Sani. Days later, Alhaji Adamu aka “Gado Banufe”, known for supplying arms around Kebbi, was picked up in Yauri, Kebbi State.
—Papiri attack link—
Preliminary investigations established all five served as arms couriers to the gunmen who stormed the Catholic primary and secondary boarding school in the early hours of Nov 21, 2025. Dozens of motorcycle gunmen rounded up pupils and teachers, with about 50 escaping in the chaos. Over 250 were marched into Kainji Lake Reserve forest.
After more than a month in captivity, FG and Niger State confirmed on Dec 21, 2025 that the remaining 130 captives had been rescued. Officials said no pupil remained in captivity.
—Supply chain under pressure—
The DSS operation suggests security agencies are now targeting logistics networks, not just foot soldiers. With two foreign nationals arrested, cross-border arms trafficking from Niger Republic is again in focus.
For families of Papiri victims, the arrests bring fresh hope that those who armed the attack are being tracked down.
