The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said on Friday that Nigeria’s integrated identity management system led to the arrest of seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders returning from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
The Minister disclosed the development on Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja shortly after President Bola Tinubu assented to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026. The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tunji-Ojo revealed that the suspects were apprehended last Thursday at Katsina Airport upon their arrival from Mecca before being transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.
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He explained that the arrests were made possible through the integration of the National Identity Management Commission’s database with that of the Nigeria Immigration Service, alongside real-time connectivity with Interpol.
Reflecting on concerns previously raised about terrorists travelling for pilgrimage, the minister said the current administration inherited a weak and fragmented identity management structure that made effective monitoring difficult.
He, however, noted that the situation has changed significantly.
“Some time ago, the Senate President questioned how terrorists were able to travel on pilgrimage and cross our borders. We inherited a broken system. But last Thursday, seven identified Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders were intercepted at Katsina Airport while returning from Mecca and were immediately handed over to the DSS.
“This was only achievable because the NIMC identity database is now integrated with the immigration system and linked to Interpol around the clock. The entire process has been automated,” he said.
The minister added that the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026 would reinforce the country’s security framework by deepening the integration of identity databases and strengthening collaboration among government agencies.
According to him, the legislation will improve the credibility of the National Identity Number (NIN) system while enhancing Nigeria’s ability to tackle identity fraud, terrorism, financial crimes and other security challenges.
Tunji-Ojo also pointed out that, before the current administration took office, several government services operated independently of the national identity database, making coordination difficult.
“When President Tinubu assumed office, our identity management system was fragmented. Obtaining a passport or driver’s licence was not connected to the national identity database.
“Today, however, no Nigerian passport can be issued without first verifying the applicant’s details through the NIMC database,” he stated.
President Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law on Friday in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, and other top government officials.
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