Video: Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP commanders arrested returning from hajj — FG
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
Abdullateef Fowewe
Seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were arrested at Katsina Airport upon their return from the Hajj in Mecca and handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS), the Federal Government confirmed.
Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the arrests, which took place last Thursday, were made possible by recent upgrades to Nigeria’s border-security systems that link the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database with immigration and international watchlists.
“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 during a recent briefing.
Tunji-Ojo credited the operation to the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) with immigration systems and a 24/7 connection to Interpol, saying the suspects were flagged automatically on arrival.
“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.
The minister described the arrests as tangible proof of improved border security and digital identity integration, noting the suspects “thought it was business as usual, coming in and out of our country.”
He said the upgraded system enabled authorities to detect and detain the individuals immediately upon their arrival.
