Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Arrested Returning from Hajj Pilgrimage

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The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders were arrested last Thursday at the Katsina airport while returning from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. This shocking fact highlights the importance of effective border control and the efficiency of Nigeria's integrated identity management system. Tunji-Ojo explained that the arrests were made possible due to the integration of the National Identity Management Commission database with the Nigeria Immigration Service database and Interpol.

The National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 was recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, further strengthening Nigeria's security architecture by accelerating the harmonisation of identity databases and improving inter-agency collaboration. According to Tunji-Ojo, the new law will enhance the integrity of the National Identity Number system while boosting the country's capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes, and other security threats. The Minister stressed that before the current administration, identity management systems were fragmented, with services such as passport issuance and driver's licence processing disconnected from the national identity database.

Before the current administration, identity management systems were fragmented, with services such as passport issuance and driver's licence processing disconnected from the national identity database. Tunji-Ojo noted that when Mr President came on board, they had a disconnected system within their identity data management system. However, today, you cannot get a Nigerian passport without pulling data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Tunji-Ojo said the newly signed NIMC Act would further strengthen Nigeria's security architecture by accelerating the harmonisation of identity databases and improving inter-agency collaboration. The law aims to enhance the integrity of the National Identity Number system while boosting the country's capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes, and other security threats. The Minister stated that the NIMC Act 2026 will improve the efficiency of the country's border control system, making it easier to track and identify individuals entering or leaving the country.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the NIMC Act 2026 will improve the efficiency of the country's border control system, making it easier to track and identify individuals entering or leaving the country. The newly signed law aims to accelerate the harmonisation of identity databases and improve inter-agency collaboration, enhancing the integrity of the National Identity Number system and the country's capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes, and other security threats.

The arrest of the Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders is a significant achievement for Nigeria's security forces, demonstrating the effectiveness of the country's integrated identity management system. The incident highlights the importance of effective border control and the need to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture to prevent terrorist threats.

The arrest of the Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders is a significant achievement for Nigeria's security forces, demonstrating the effectiveness of the country's integrated identity management system.

The incident highlights the importance of effective border control and the need to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture to prevent terrorist threats.

The arrest of the Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders is a significant achievement for Nigeria's security forces, demonstrating the effectiveness of the country's integrated identity management system.

The newly signed NIMC Act 2026 is expected to improve the efficiency of the country's border control system, making it easier to track and identify individuals entering or leaving the country.

Tunji-Ojo said the newly signed NIMC Act 2026 is expected to improve the efficiency of the country's border control system, making it easier to track and identify individuals entering or leaving the country.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the NIMC Act 2026 will further strengthen Nigeria's security architecture by accelerating the harmonisation of identity databases and improving inter-agency collaboration.

The arrest of the Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders is a significant achievement for Nigeria's security forces, demonstrating the effectiveness of the country's integrated identity management system.

The incident highlights the importance of effective border control and the need to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture to prevent terrorist threats.

The arrest of the Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders is a significant achievement for Nigeria's security forces, demonstrating the effectiveness of the country's integrated identity management system.

The newly signed NIMC Act 2026 is expected to improve the efficiency of the country's border control system, making it easier to track and identify individuals entering or leaving the country.

Tunji-Ojo said the newly signed NIMC Act 2026 is expected to improve the efficiency of the country's border control system, making it easier to track and identify individuals entering or leaving the country.

The incident highlights the importance of effective border control and the need to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture to prevent terrorist threats.