FG Says Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Arrested At Katsina Airport After Hajj

The Federal Government says seven suspected commanders linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province were arrested at Katsina Airport after returning from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed the arrests on Friday after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 into law, according to Daily Post and Premium Times.

Premium Times reported that the suspects were arrested at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina State after returning from Mecca. Daily Post reported that they were intercepted through Nigeria’s integrated identity verification system.

Tunji-Ojo said the suspects were handed over to the State Security Service, also known as the DSS, for further investigation. He did not disclose their names.

Premium Times quoted the minister as saying that seven known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP were arrested at the point of returning from Mecca and handed over to the DSS.

Daily Post reported that the minister linked the arrests to integration between the NIMC database, the Nigeria Immigration Service and international security networks, including Interpol.

The minister said the Tinubu administration inherited disconnected identity systems, but that immigration records now communicate with NIMC data and Interpol’s 24-hour security network.

Daily Post reported that Tunji-Ojo said the same integration had changed passport processing, with no Nigerian passport now issued without proper identity verification through the NIMC database.

Premium Times noted that the minister did not say whether the suspects were on security watchlists before travelling, how they obtained travel clearance, whether they used Nigerian passports, or whether they have been formally charged.

Premium Times also reported that it could not immediately obtain independent confirmation from the DSS or the Nigeria Immigration Service at the time of its report.

Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Officials said the law repeals the 2007 NIMC Act and gives a new legal basis to Nigeria’s digital identity system.

Government officials said the law strengthens the National Identification Number system and expands NIMC’s role in secure digital identity management, electronic authentication and data exchange across authorised platforms.

The signing ceremony was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote and other officials.

Sources: Daily Post, Premium Times