The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced five men, including two Nigeriens, to 25 years imprisonment each for their roles in the November 21, 2025 attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.
Justice Binta Nyako handed down the sentence on Thursday after the defendants, who were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on May 31, 2026, pleaded guilty to four terrorism-related charges.
The charges included providing support for the commission of acts of terrorism, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act.
According to the charge sheet, the convicts conspired to assist members of the Boko Haram terrorist group by facilitating the transportation of 15 AK-103 rifles and approximately 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the Diffa Region of the Republic of Niger to one Malam Ahmad, a suspected Boko Haram member based in Borgu, Niger State.
The offence is punishable under Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The suspects were arrested at different locations by DSS operatives less than two weeks ago. During one of the operations, security agents recovered 15 AK-47 rifles and 1,434 rounds of live ammunition concealed in sacks inside a Volkswagen Golf vehicle.
The recovered weapons and ammunition were tendered as exhibits during the trial.
Justice Nyako also ordered the forfeiture of the Volkswagen Golf used in the operation to the Federal Government.
The attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School occurred in the early hours of November 21, 2025, when dozens of armed men on motorcycles stormed the primary and secondary boarding school and abducted pupils and teachers at gunpoint.
Although about 50 students reportedly escaped during the chaos, more than 250 others were marched into the Kainji Lake National Park area, where they were held captive for several days.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over worsening insecurity across the country.
In response to a wave of kidnappings and terrorist attacks, President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26, 2025. He also approved additional recruitment into the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force, while directing the DSS to deploy trained forest guards to combat terrorists and bandits operating in forested areas.
Just over a month after the school attack, the Federal Government and Niger State authorities announced the rescue and safe return of all remaining captives, confirming that no pupil remained in captivity.
