Seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders were arrested at Katsina Airport last Thursday after Nigeria’s integrated digital identity system flagged them on arrival from Mecca, Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed on Friday.
The minister spoke as President Bola Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law in Abuja. The government says the law will strengthen security, harmonise identity databases and drive digital transformation.
Tunji-Ojo said the suspects were intercepted and handed over to the DSS after being identified through linked NIMC, Immigration and Interpol databases. He said the system now requires passport applications to pull data from NIMC
He added that the new Act will reinforce the NIN as the primary identity credential and improve detection of terrorism, identity theft and financial crimes.
At the signing, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu backed the law as a historic upgrade. NIMC DG Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote said it closes a 19-year legislative gap and boosts inclusion and trust in digital services
