Katsina/Abuja, Nigeria — June 27, 2026 — Nigerian security agencies have arrested seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina as they returned from the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the development, describing it as a major breakthrough enabled by Nigeria’s digital identity management and border security systems.
“I’m happy to tell you that even last week Thursday, seven of the known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP, at the point of coming back from Mecca, were arrested in Katsina at the airport and were handed over to the DSS,” he said.
According to the minister, the suspects were identified through an advanced identity verification platform upon arrival and were immediately handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.
The arrests underscore ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s immigration and identity management systems, as well as improved collaboration among security and intelligence agencies.
Officials say the operation reflects strengthened efforts to track and intercept high-risk individuals, particularly those attempting to exploit international travel routes, including religious pilgrimages.
Tunji-Ojo noted that the development highlights the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance national security while safeguarding legitimate travel and religious activities.
The arrests come amid sustained operations by security agencies to dismantle terrorist networks operating in the North-East and other parts of the country.
