Nigeria arrests 7 Boko Haram leaders after their return from Hajj
Seven Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa leaders arrested in Nigeria
Written by: Our correspondent from Nigeria, Boubacar Sani
Announced Nigerian authorities The country’s integrated national identity system has resulted in the arrest of seven people suspected of being leaders of the Boko Haram and ISIS in West Africa (ISWAP) groups, as they returned from performing the Hajj pilgrimage in 2026, in what officials described as a significant security breakthrough.
NIMC database tracks and arrests seven Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa leaders”
Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo revealed details of the incident on Friday at the Presidential Palace in the capital, Abuja, following Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's signing of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into force.
The minister explained that the suspects were arrested last Thursday at Katsina Airport immediately upon their arrival from Mecca, before being handed directly over to the Internal Security Service (DSS).
Tunji-Ojo noted that the arrest was made possible by the integration of the NIMC database with the Nigerian Immigration Service database and its direct linkage with Interpol, which enabled security agencies to identify and monitor high-risk elements at border crossings.
He added that there had been previous concerns about suspected terrorists traveling to perform the Hajj, explaining that the government inherited a fragmented identity management system, but had developed it into an integrated security system.
The minister stressed that the new NIMC law of 2026 will strengthen the country’s security system by unifying identity databases, improving cooperation between agencies, and enhancing the reliability of the National Identity Number (NIN).
He also noted that the new system will contribute to combating terrorism, identity theft, financial crimes and other security threats.
He added that passport issuance is now fully linked to the NIMC database, making it impossible to obtain a Nigerian passport without identity verification through the national system.
He concluded by saying that President Paula Tinubu signed the law in the presence of a number of senior officials, including Senate President Godswell Akpabio and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Benjamin Kalu.
