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Tag: Niger Republic

  • DSS Arrests Two Foreign Nationals, Three Others Over Niger School Attack

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspected arms couriers, including two foreign nationals from Niger Republic, over their alleged involvement in the November 2025 attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.

    The attack led to the abduction of nearly 300 students and staff, making it one of the most severe mass kidnapping incidents in the state.

    Arrests and weapons recovery

    Security sources said the suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations that also led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including 15 AK-103 rifles, 15 magazines, and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

    Among those arrested were Yusuf Mohammed, also known as Bature, reportedly on the wanted list of Boko Haram, and his associate, Mubarak Ibrahim.

    The duo was intercepted along the Zaria–Kaduna Highway while allegedly en route to collect arms for terrorist commanders.

    Cross-border arms network uncovered

    Further operations led to the arrest of Goni Ibrahim, identified as an international arms courier from the Diffa Region of Niger Republic, alongside another suspect linked to the network.

    Security operatives also arrested another suspect, Alhaji Adamu, popularly known as Gado Banufe, in Yauri, Kebbi State, over alleged arms supply activities.

    Investigations suggest the suspects played key roles in supplying weapons used in the Papiri school attack.

    Background of the attack

    On November 21, 2025, armed men stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in the early hours, abducting students and teachers after shooting sporadically.

    About 50 pupils reportedly escaped during the attack, while over 250 were taken into the Kainji Lake National Park forest.

    Authorities later confirmed that all abducted victims were rescued and reunited with their families in December 2025 after weeks in captivity.

    Security response

    The latest arrests are expected to strengthen ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle arms trafficking networks and prosecute those linked to the attack.

    Officials say investigations are ongoing as authorities continue tracking cross-border supply routes used by criminal groups.

  • 497 Nigerian Migrants Evacuated From Niger Republic Arrive Kano

    No fewer than 497 Nigerian migrants evacuated from Niger Republic have been received by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).

    The returnees arrived at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday afternoon from Agadez, Niger Republic.

    Officials of the commission’s Kano Field Office alongside other government agencies received the migrants upon arrival.

    FG, IOM Coordinate Evacuation

    Speaking during the reception exercise, the Federal Commissioner of the commission, Tijjani Aliyu Ahmed, said the evacuation followed a humanitarian arrangement between the Federal Government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

    Represented by Kano Field Coordinator, Lubah Liman, the commissioner disclosed that the evacuation was carried out under the Voluntary Humanitarian Return programme of the IOM.

    According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier informed the commission about plans to evacuate stranded Nigerians from Agadez between May 22 and May 25, 2026.

    Returnees Arrive In Two Batches

    The commissioner explained that the evacuation exercise was scheduled to take place in two batches.

    “The first batch, initially projected to comprise about 600 returnees, arrived with a total of 497 persons,” he said.

    The migrants were later moved for profiling and humanitarian support after completing documentation processes.

    Breakdown Of Returnees

    Authorities revealed that the returnees included men, women and children.

    According to the breakdown released by the commission, the evacuees comprised 174 adult males, 97 adult females, 137 boys and 89 girls.

    The migrants were documented through the MIDAS registration process conducted by the Nigeria Immigration Service before being moved to the Immigration Training School in Kano.

    Several Agencies Participate

    The reception exercise involved multiple agencies including National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA, DSS, NSCDC, SEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

    Officials said the returnees would receive feeding, profiling and other humanitarian assistance as part of the reintegration process.