From Mecca to Custody: How Nigeria’s Identity Database Caught Seven Terror Commanders

Seven suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders returning from the Holy Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia were arrested at Katsina Airport last week after Nigeria’s integrated digital identity system flagged them, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed on Friday.

The revelation came as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law at the State House, Abuja, a move the Federal Government says will revolutionise identity management, strengthen national security and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.

According to Tunji-Ojo, the suspects were intercepted on Thursday while arriving from Mecca and were immediately handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) after being identified through the country’s interconnected identity management system.

He said the breakthrough underscored the value of the reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration, which have linked the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigeria Immigration Service and international security databases, including Interpol.

“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.

He explained that before President Tinubu assumed office, Nigeria’s identity management architecture was fragmented, with government agencies operating separate databases that rarely communicated with one another.

“When Mr. President came on board, we had a disconnected identity management system. At that time, getting a passport and obtaining a driver’s licence were completely disconnected from our identity database. Today, you cannot get a Nigerian passport without pulling data from NIMC,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo said the integration has significantly improved border security, identity verification and the country’s capacity to detect persons of security interest attempting to enter Nigeria.

He added that the newly signed NIMC Act would further strengthen the National Identity Number (NIN) system, promote the harmonisation of identity databases and enhance collaboration among security and government agencies in tackling terrorism, identity theft, financial crimes and other organised criminal activities.

President Tinubu signed the legislation in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi, World Bank representative Taimur Samad and NIMC Director-General Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, among other senior government officials.

Akpabio described the legislation as a reflection of the National Assembly’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s evolving security and developmental challenges, expressing confidence that it would strengthen public trust in the country’s identity management system.

Kalu said the repeal of the outdated 2007 NIMC Act marked a historic turning point in Nigeria’s digital transformation, noting that the new law provides a modern legal framework capable of meeting present-day realities.

On her part, Coker-Odusote said the Act closes a 19-year legislative gap and establishes a robust legal foundation for Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure.

She said the law reinforces the National Identification Number as the country’s primary identity credential and introduces innovations that will improve access to government and private-sector services while promoting inclusion, trust and digital innovation.