The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested five suspects allegedly connected to the notorious school kidnapping in Papiri, Niger State, in a major security breakthrough.
According to security sources, the suspects were apprehended during coordinated intelligence operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks linked to banditry and mass abductions in the North-Central region.
Reports indicate that the DSS also recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition during the operation, including 15 AK-47 rifles, several magazines, and more than 1,400 rounds of live ammunition.
Two foreign nationals were among those arrested. Authorities alleged that the foreigners played key roles in supplying weapons and logistical support to the kidnappers responsible for the attack on the school in Papiri.
Sources further disclosed that the weapons were intercepted while being transported in a vehicle allegedly used by the suspects for illegal arms movement across borders.
The Papiri school kidnapping had sparked nationwide outrage after hundreds of students and staff members were abducted during the attack. The incident renewed concerns over rising insecurity, school attacks, and cross-border arms trafficking in parts of Northern Nigeria.
Security operatives have continued investigations to uncover additional members of the criminal network and identify possible sponsors behind the operation.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not released a detailed official statement regarding the arrests, but multiple local media outlets confirmed the development through security sources familiar with the investigation.
The latest operation is being seen as part of ongoing efforts by Nigerian security agencies to tackle terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping activities threatening schools and communities across the country.
