ABUJA — The Federal Government on Friday revealed how Nigeria’s integrated identity management system led to the dramatic arrest of seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders who returned from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed that the terror suspects were apprehended at the Katsina airport last Thursday shortly after arriving from Mecca and were immediately handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS).
Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, Tunji-Ojo said the breakthrough was made possible through the seamless integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) database and its linkage with Interpol.
The minister said the arrest demonstrates the growing effectiveness of President Tinubu’s reforms in Nigeria’s identity management and border security systems.
“I know sometime ago, the Senate President was alarmed by how some terrorists went on pilgrimage, wondering how they crossed our borders. We inherited a fractured system.
“But 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.
“This is only possible because NIMC’s identity database is already connected with the immigration database, and it is already speaking to Interpol 24/7. We have been able to automate this process,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
The Interior Minister explained that the newly signed NIMC Act 2026 would further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by accelerating the harmonisation of identity databases and enhancing collaboration among security agencies.
According to him, the legislation will improve the integrity of the National Identity Number (NIN) system and significantly boost Nigeria’s capacity to tackle identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes and other emerging security threats.
Tunji-Ojo recalled that before the current administration came into office, Nigeria operated fragmented identity management systems, making it difficult for security agencies to effectively monitor and track criminal elements.
“When Mr. President came on board, we had a disconnected identity data management system. At that time, getting a passport and obtaining a driver’s licence were completely disconnected from our national identity database.
“But today, you cannot obtain a Nigerian passport without your data being verified through NIMC,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu assented to the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, and other top government officials.
The new law is expected to deepen digital identity management, strengthen national security, improve service delivery and enhance Nigeria’s ability to detect and intercept suspected criminals across its borders.
