7 Terror Suspects Arrested After Hajj Return

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders were recently arrested through Nigeria’s integrated identity management system while returning from the Hajj pilgrimage.

According to the minister, the suspects were intercepted at Katsina Airport last Thursday upon their arrival from Mecca and were subsequently handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS). He described the operation as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in identity management and border security.
Tunji-Ojo made the disclosure at the State House in Abuja after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the 2026 National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act into law.
President Tinubu assented to the legislation in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi, World Bank representative Taimur Samad, and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the new law as a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to modernise identity management, strengthen national security, improve public service delivery and deepen the country’s digital economy.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Tunji-Ojo described the legislation as a landmark achievement that would further enhance internal security and improve citizens’ access to government services.
He explained that the Tinubu administration inherited a fragmented identity management system where key government databases operated independently but said reforms had successfully integrated critical government platforms.
“With this law, our security architecture can be enhanced. When Mr. President came on board, we had a disconnected system within our identity data management system. At that time, getting a passport and obtaining a driver’s licence were completely disconnected from our identity database. But today, you can’t get a Nigerian passport without pulling data from NIMC,” the minister said.
According to him, the harmonisation of identity databases has significantly strengthened border control operations and intelligence gathering.
“What you have in immigration is what you have in the NIMC database, and let me say this clearly, it has even helped our border control process. I know sometime ago the Senate President was alarmed by how some terrorists went on pilgrimage, wondering how they crossed our borders. We inherited a fractured system.
“But I’m happy to tell you that even last Thursday, seven known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP were arrested at Katsina Airport while returning from Mecca and were handed over to the DSS.
“This was only possible because NIMC’s identity system is now connected with the immigration database and linked to Interpol 24/7. We have been able to automate this process,” he added.
The minister noted that the new Act would accelerate the harmonisation of identity databases, improve the integrity of the National Identity Number (NIN) system, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes and other security threats.
Senate President Akpabio welcomed the presidential assent, describing the legislation as evidence of the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that address Nigeria’s evolving security and developmental challenges.
He expressed confidence that the law would strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s identity management system, noting that it aligns with President Tinubu’s reform agenda and commitment to national transformation.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also described the legislation as a transformative reform that would improve governance, promote accountability and support national development through a credible identity management system.
He noted that the 2007 NIMC Act had become outdated and required urgent review to reflect present-day realities.
“Today marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation. It reflects the Federal Government’s bold commitment to building a robust, trusted and inclusive identity ecosystem,” Kalu said.
The Director-General of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, assured that the commission would collaborate with relevant government agencies, development partners and the private sector to fully implement the provisions of the new law.
She described the legislation as a major boost to the commission’s mandate, saying it provides a modern legal framework for Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem after 19 years under an outdated law.
According to her, the Act strengthens the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s primary identity verification tool while introducing innovations that support secure digital identity, seamless access to government and private sector services, and Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda.