Nigeria’s 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 upon their return from the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the arrests while speaking after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law. The suspects were identified last Thursday through Nigeria’s integrated identity management platform and promptly arrested before being handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.
The Minister described the operation as a significant breakthrough enabled by enhanced intelligence and identity verification 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 stated.
This development underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging technology and robust security measures to prevent infiltration and disrupt terrorist networks. The arrests highlight the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration and the use of the national identity database in tracking high-profile suspects.
Investigations are ongoing, and the identities of the suspects have not been publicly released at this stage.
The Minister commended the security operatives involved and reiterated the government’s resolve to tackle insecurity decisively while ensuring the safe return and processing of genuine pilgrims.
The Federal Government urges all citizens to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities.