Nigeria arrests seven terrorists returning from Hajj pilgrimage

The Nigerian government has said it recently arrested seven terrorists who were returning from the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, shared this news on Saturday after President Bola Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law.

“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 in a statement from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

“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,” the minister explained.

His announcement may raise concerns among Nigerians about how these terrorists were allowed to go for the Hajj pilgrimage. This news comes after claims that the Katsina State Government sponsored the Hajj trip for some terrorists. Although the state government has denied these claims, Tunji-Ojo’s statement will likely stir more discussions on the issue.