FG Announces Arrest of Seven Suspected Terrorist

The Federal Government says security agencies arrested seven suspected terrorists at Katsina airport after they returned from the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

The Federal Government has confirmed the arrest of seven people suspected of terrorism after security officials intercepted them at Katsina airport while they returned from the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the development on Friday after President Bola Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law.

Speaking about the operation, the minister said the suspects were known commanders linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP before authorities handed them over to the Department of State Services (DSS).

“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,” the minister said.

Tunji-Ojo explained that the successful operation resulted from the integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database with the Nigeria Immigration Service system. He said the NIMC Act 2026 supports stronger identity verification and improves cooperation with international security systems.

“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,” Tunji-Ojo added.

The announcement has renewed public discussion about how people identified as suspected terrorist commanders were able to complete the Hajj pilgrimage. It also follows earlier allegations that the Katsina State Government sponsored some suspected terrorists for the pilgrimage, an allegation the state government has denied.

What measures do you think could further strengthen identity checks for international travel and pilgrimage programmes?