FG Arrests Seven Suspected Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning From Hajj

Seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been arrested at Katsina Airport while returning from the 2026 hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has disclosed.

Tunji-Ojo made the announcement on Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law.

According to the minister, the suspects were intercepted last Thursday and subsequently handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.

He attributed the arrests to the integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database with the Nigeria Immigration Service and Interpol systems, describing it as a major breakthrough in the country’s border security architecture.

“I know, some time ago, the Senate President raised concerns about how suspected terrorists were able to travel for pilgrimage and return through our borders,” Tunji-Ojo said.

“What we inherited was a fractured system. But I am happy to tell you that last Thursday, seven known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP were arrested at Katsina Airport on their return and handed over to the DSS.

“This was only possible because NIMC’s identity database is now integrated with the immigration system and connected to Interpol 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

The minister also announced that the Federal Government has completed an Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) to improve surveillance and coordination across Nigeria’s air and maritime borders.

He said the new facility, the first of its kind in the country, has strengthened the government’s ability to monitor internal security operations in real time.

“They believed it was business as usual, they would leave and return unnoticed, but they were arrested immediately on arrival,” he said.

“We later airlifted them to Abuja on Saturday and handed them over. They are currently in custody.”

Tunji-Ojo added that while Nigeria’s air borders are now effectively secured through technology-driven systems, efforts are ongoing to strengthen surveillance along the country’s land borders, which he acknowledged remain vulnerable.

He noted that the newly signed NIMC Act provides additional legal backing for authorities to improve identity management and enhance national security operations.