NIMC Database Helped Arrest Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj – Tunji-Ojo
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that the country’s integrated identity management system played a key role in the arrest of seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as they returned from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
The minister made the disclosure at the Presidential Villa in Abuja shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law. According to him, the suspects were intercepted at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina State last Thursday upon their arrival from Mecca before being handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS).
Tunji-Ojo explained that the successful operation was made possible through the integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database with the Nigeria Immigration Service’s border management system and its real-time connection to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
He noted that the digital integration has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s border security and intelligence capabilities, allowing security agencies to identify and intercept high-risk individuals attempting to enter the country.
The minister recalled previous concerns raised over how suspected terrorists had managed to travel for religious pilgrimages despite existing security measures. He said the current administration inherited a fragmented identity management system but has since implemented reforms that now enable seamless collaboration among relevant security agencies.
According to him, the latest arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s ongoing investment in digital identity infrastructure, describing the development as a major milestone in the fight against terrorism, identity fraud and other cross-border crimes.
President Bola Tinubu, while signing the NIMC Act 2026 into law, said the legislation is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s identity management framework, improve public service delivery, enhance national security and accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
The new law is also expected to deepen inter-agency collaboration by improving the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system and expanding its use across government institutions.
Security experts believe the integration of the NIMC database with immigration and international security systems will further enhance Nigeria’s capacity to detect suspected criminals, terrorists and other persons of interest at border entry points while improving intelligence gathering nationwide.
The Federal Government has continued to present the digital identity initiative as a critical component of its broader strategy to modernise governance, secure the nation’s borders and strengthen internal security through technology-driven solutions.
