How NIMC database helped arrest seven Boko Haram, ISWAP commanders returning from Hajj — Minister

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database with the Nigeria Immigration Service and Interpol systems enabled the arrest of seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders as they returned from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.

Tunji-Ojo disclosed this on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law.

According to the minister, the suspects were apprehended last Thursday at Katsina Airport upon their arrival from Mecca and were immediately handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.

He explained that the arrests were made possible through the government’s ongoing efforts to integrate Nigeria’s identity management systems, allowing security agencies to verify identities in real time using local and international databases.

“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 ID is already connected with the immigration database, and it’s already speaking to even the Interpol 24/7, and we have been able to automate this,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo said the newly enacted NIMC Act would further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by accelerating the harmonisation of identity databases and improving collaboration among security and government agencies.

He added that the legislation would enhance the integrity of the National Identity Number (NIN) system while improving the country’s capacity to tackle identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes and other security threats.

The minister recalled that before the current administration, key identity management platforms operated independently, making it difficult for agencies to share information effectively.

“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,” he stated.

President Bola Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 on Friday in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu and other senior government officials.