How We Arrested Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders

Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting 

IN a significant breakthrough for national security, seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been arrested at Katsina airport upon their return from Mecca, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed.

The suspects were intercepted last Thursday through Nigeria’s integrated identity management system and subsequently handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS), in what the minister described as compelling evidence of the government’s ongoing reforms in identity management and border security.

Dr Tunji-Ojo made the disclosure yesterday at the State House, Abuja, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s signing of the 2026 National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act into law.

‘Fractured System Inherited‘

The minister explained that the Tinubu administration had inherited a fragmented identity management system in which critical databases operated independently, but reforms had now successfully integrated key government platforms.

“With this law, our security architecture can be enhanced,” Dr Tunji-Ojo stated. “When Mr President came on board, we had a disconnected system within our identity data management system.

“At that time, getting a passport and getting a driving permit were completely disconnected from our identity database. But today, you can’t get a Nigerian passport without pulling data from NIMC.”

According to the minister, the harmonisation of identity databases has significantly strengthened border control operations and intelligence gathering.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Interpol Integration

Dr Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the success of the operation was made possible because NIMC’s identification system is now connected with the immigration database and integrated with Interpol’s 24/7 monitoring systems.

“What you have in immigration is what you have in the NIMC database, and let me say this clearly, that it has even helped our border control process,” he added.

The minister said the new Act would accelerate the harmonisation of identity databases, improve the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes, and other security threats.

Presidential Assent

President Tinubu assented to the legislation in the presence of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; House Leader Julius Ihonvbere; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; the World Bank’s representative, Taimur Samad; and the Director-General of NIMC, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the new law marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to modernise identity management, strengthen national security, improve public service delivery, and deepen the country’s digital economy.

Legislative Support

Senate President Akpabio welcomed the presidential assent, describing the legislation as a reflection of the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that respond to Nigeria’s evolving security and developmental challenges.

He expressed confidence that the law would strengthen public trust in the country’s identity management architecture, noting that it aligns with President Tinubu’s reform agenda.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also described the legislation as a transformative reform that would improve governance, promote accountability, and support national development through a credible identity management system.

He noted that the 2007 NIMC Act had become obsolete and required urgent updating to reflect present-day realities.

“Today marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation. It reflects the Federal Government’s bold commitment to building a robust, trusted and inclusive identity ecosystem,” Kalu said.

Implementation Plans

The Director-General of NIMC, Dr Coker-Odusote, assured that the commission would work with relevant government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to fully implement the provisions of the new law.

She described the legislation as a major boost to the commission’s mandate, saying it establishes a modern legal framework for Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem after 19 years under an outdated law.

According to her, the Act strengthens the National Identification Number as the country’s primary identity verification tool while introducing innovations that support secure digital identity, seamless access to government and private sector services, and Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Source: The Nation