DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

Nigeria’s security operatives have arrested seven suspected senior commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after they returned from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, in what officials have described as a major counter-terrorism breakthrough. The suspects were apprehended last Thursday at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina State shortly after landing from Mecca, and were immediately transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS) for interrogation and further investigation. The arrest operation, which unfolded at the airport’s arrival terminal, has been hailed as a significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against terrorism and a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s new digital identity integration system.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the development on Friday shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026, into law at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to the minister, the arrests highlight the impact of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in identity management and national security coordination. He emphasized that the success of the operation demonstrates how technology and inter-agency collaboration can be leveraged to enhance national security and protect citizens from terrorist threats. Tunji-Ojo explained that the country previously operated a weak and disconnected data system, making intelligence gathering and threat detection difficult across multiple agencies. “We inherited a fragmented identity management system where government databases operated independently. Today, our immigration database is fully integrated with NIMC and linked to Interpol’s 24-hour security network,” he stated. He recalled that the Senate President had previously raised alarm over how terrorists managed to go on pilgrimage, questioning how they crossed Nigeria’s borders without detection.

Giving more details on the operation, the minister said, “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.” He attributed the success to the integration of the NIMC database with the Nigeria Immigration Service and international security platforms, noting that “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’s comments underscore the transformative impact of digital identity reforms on Nigeria’s security architecture, suggesting that similar arrests could become more frequent as the system becomes more entrenched.

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The minister did not disclose the identities of the suspects, whether they had been on security watchlists before travelling to Saudi Arabia, how they obtained travel clearance, or whether they have been formally charged. He also did not indicate whether the suspects travelled independently or received sponsorship for the pilgrimage. The announcement has raised fresh questions about how suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders were able to obtain travel documents and leave Nigeria undetected before eventually being intercepted on their return. These unanswered questions have sparked calls for greater transparency from security agencies and a thorough investigation into how the suspects managed to navigate Nigeria’s border controls in the first instance.

The revelation comes days after allegations circulated that the Katsina State Government sponsored Hajj pilgrimages for some bandit leaders. The Katsina State Government has denied the allegations, describing them as false, baseless, and politically motivated. In a statement, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua’zu, said the allegation was “entirely baseless, unfounded and devoid of any factual basis,” adding that it was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the state. The minister did not suggest that the seven suspects were among any government-sponsored pilgrims, nor did he link their arrests to the allegations against the Katsina State Government. However, the timing of the arrests has fueled public speculation and drawn attention to the broader challenges of monitoring pilgrimages and preventing terrorists from exploiting religious travel.

President Tinubu signed the NIMC Act, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, and other senior government officials. Tunji-Ojo described the new legislation as a significant reform aimed at strengthening the harmonisation of Nigeria’s identity management systems, improving the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system, and enhancing collaboration among security and intelligence agencies. He noted that the Act provides a legal framework that will accelerate the integration of databases and ensure that no Nigerian citizen can obtain official documents without proper verification through the NIMC system.

The newly signed law is expected to play a major role in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture by accelerating the harmonisation of identity databases and improving cooperation among security and government agencies. Government officials say the legislation is designed to eliminate long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s identity management system. The law is also expected to strengthen the integrity of the NIN, improve data sharing, and enhance the tracking of criminal activities including terrorism financing, identity fraud, cybercrime, and cross-border offences. Officials believe that the Act will serve as a deterrent to criminals and terrorists who have historically exploited weaknesses in the country’s identity verification processes.

The minister further explained that the integration has also improved the passport application process, noting that no Nigerian passport can now be issued without proper identity verification through the NIMC database. “When Mr President came on board, we had a disconnected system within our identity data management system. At that time, getting a passport and getting a driving permit were completely disconnected from our identity database. But today, you can’t get a Nigerian passport without pulling data from NIMC,” he stated. This reform has not only enhanced national security but has also reduced instances of identity fraud and document forgery, which were previously rampant under the disconnected system.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Senate President Akpabio welcomed the presidential assent, describing the legislation as a reflection of the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that address Nigeria’s changing security and development needs. He said the Act would strengthen public confidence in the country’s identity management framework and aligns with President Tinubu’s reform agenda. Similarly, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu described the legislation as a transformative reform that would improve governance, promote accountability and support national development through a credible identity management system, noting that the previous NIMC Act of 2007 had become outdated and ill-suited to the demands of a digital age.

NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the Act represents a significant step towards building a trusted and inclusive digital identity ecosystem, reinforcing the National Identification Number as the cornerstone of identity verification in Nigeria while introducing reforms that will strengthen the country’s digital public infrastructure and improve access to government and private-sector services. The development comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to strengthen national security, improve border surveillance, and curb the movement of terror-linked individuals across the country. Security analysts have welcomed the arrests as a positive development, but many have also cautioned that technology alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security challenges without sustained investment in intelligence gathering, community policing, and addressing the root causes of extremism.

DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

DSS Frees Kaduna Farmer Wrongfully Linked to Boko Haram, Awards N3 Million Compensation

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a Kaduna State farmer and herder who was wrongfully accused of having links with Boko Haram, following a comprehensive internal review that found no evidence to support the allegations against him. The Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, approved the immediate release of Nura Idris after an investigation panel cleared him of any involvement with the terrorist group. In addition to regaining his freedom, Idris received N3 million as financial support to address his immediate needs, while the DSS also pledged further assistance to help him re-establish his farming and livestock business. The case has drawn attention to a broader internal review exercise within the DSS that has seen dozens of detainees released and millions of naira paid in compensation to innocent citizens who were wrongly detained.

According to security sources, Idris, a farmer and livestock rearer from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was initially arrested by another security agency in Suleja, Niger State, in June 2024 over alleged terrorist links before being transferred to DSS custody. Following a thorough review of the case by a DSS investigation panel, no basis was found for the charges against him, prompting the Director-General to order his immediate release and approve the compensation package. The review panel examined all available evidence, including intelligence reports and witness statements, and concluded that Idris had no connection whatsoever to Boko Haram or any other terrorist organization operating in the region.

Receiving the financial support, Idris expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership. “I thank the DGSS for his kindness. I was well treated in DSS custody and I pray that Allah rewards the DGSS immensely,” the source quoted Idris as saying. His father, Yusuf Idris, who welcomed him after his release, also appreciated the DSS Director-General for his compassion and generosity, assuring that the compensation would be used judiciously. The emotional reunion between father and son underscored the human cost of wrongful detention and the relief that comes with vindication. Yusuf Idris expressed optimism that his son would now be able to rebuild his life and return to his farming and livestock business with the support provided by the DSS.

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Providing further insight into the Service’s approach, a security source disclosed that the DSS routinely follows up with wrongly detained individuals by providing psychological and medical support, after which the agency helps set up a business of the victim’s choice. This reintegration approach is standard practice under the current leadership, reflecting a commitment to not only releasing innocent individuals but also ensuring they can rebuild their lives and livelihoods. The source explained that the DSS recognizes the trauma associated with wrongful detention and has institutionalized a support system to help victims transition back to normal life, including counseling, medical care, and entrepreneurial assistance.

The release of Nura Idris forms part of an internal review exercise initiated by the DSS last year to reassess inherited and prolonged detention cases and ensure that innocent individuals are not kept in custody unnecessarily. According to the sources, more than 30 cases have so far been reviewed under the exercise, with over N300 million paid in compensation. The exercise reflects the Service’s commitment to balancing national security responsibilities with the protection of citizens’ rights, and it has been described by observers as a significant step toward institutional reform and accountability.

The source cited a previous case where Sunday Ifedi was released in December 2025 after being cleared of ties to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), with the DSS awarding him N10 million as compensation. Plans are also underway to rebuild a restaurant in memory of Ifedi’s wife, Calista, who died while in custody. This case, like that of Nura Idris, highlights the DSS’s willingness to acknowledge mistakes and provide substantial compensation to those wrongfully detained. The agency’s handling of these cases has been praised by human rights advocates, though some have called for even greater transparency in the review process.

In October 2025, the DSS ordered the release of Abuja-based businesswoman Chineze Ozoadibe and approved N10 million compensation for her. Similarly, Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, arrested in July 2022 over alleged IPOB links, was released following a review, along with five other detainees who each received N2 million compensation. Last month, the DSS also released Ya’u Mohammed, a Yobe State resident, after investigations confirmed he had no connection to terrorism, providing him with N2 million to support his reintegration. These cases demonstrate the breadth and consistency of the DSS’s review exercise, which spans multiple states and involves individuals from various backgrounds and circumstances.

“The setting free and compensations across multiple cases underscores the DSS’s growing reputation for institutional integrity and humanness,” the source added. “The Service under the current DG has continued to show that safeguarding national security and citizens must go hand in hand with upholding the rights and dignity of citizens.” This sentiment has been echoed by legal experts and civil society organizations that have long called for security agencies to respect human rights while carrying out their duties. The DSS’s recent actions have been seen as a positive development in Nigeria’s security sector, signaling a shift toward greater accountability and respect for the rule of law.

The case of Nura Idris and others like him also raises important questions about the quality of intelligence gathering and the consequences of wrongful accusations. Security analysts have noted that the DSS review exercise, while commendable, also highlights systemic weaknesses in the initial arrest and detention processes that led to these miscarriages of justice. Moving forward, there are calls for security agencies to strengthen their investigative protocols to prevent similar cases of wrongful detention, ensuring that citizens are not subjected to the trauma of false accusations and prolonged custody. The DSS, for its part, has indicated that it is committed to continuous improvement and learning from these cases to enhance its operational effectiveness.

DSS Frees Kaduna Farmer Wrongfully Linked to Boko Haram, Awards N3 Million Compensation

Police kill four kidnappers, rescue five victims in Lagos-Ogun joint operation

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping after operatives of the Lagos State Police Command and Ogun State Police Command rescued five abducted victims and neutralised four suspected kidnappers during a coordinated operation in Ogun State.

The operation, conducted under the newly launched Operation KOSAYE, also led to the arrest of four other suspected members of the kidnapping gang, as police intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating along the Lagos-Ogun border corridor.

The Commissioners of Police in Ogun and Lagos states, Bode Ojajuni and Fatai Tijani, announced the development while briefing journalists on Saturday at the Police Training School in Iperu, Ogun State.

According to Ojajuni, the victims were abducted by armed criminals around the Ogbere Forest along the J4 corridor of the Sagamu-Benin Expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest highways linking the South-West to other parts of the country.

He said intelligence gathered by security operatives enabled officers to track the kidnappers to their hideout inside the forest, where a fierce gun battle ensued.

The police commissioner disclosed that four suspected kidnappers were killed during the exchange of gunfire, while four others were arrested. The five kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed.

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“The victims were rescued successfully, and four of the kidnappers were neutralised while four others were taken into custody,” he said.

Ojajuni explained that the successful rescue followed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to strengthen collaboration among police commands in tackling kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes across state boundaries.

He said the Nigeria Police Force recently launched Operation KOSAYE, a joint security initiative covering Lagos and Ogun states with the support of both state governments.

According to him, the operation—whose name means “No Space”—is designed to deny criminals safe havens by targeting forests, border communities and other isolated locations used as hideouts by kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits.

Ojajuni revealed that security personnel had already carried out extensive clearance operations across Ogere, Ijebu-Ode, Ajebandele and the J4 corridor, among other vulnerable communities identified through intelligence.

Beyond the rescue mission, the commissioner disclosed that the operation resulted in the arrest of 84 additional criminal suspects across Lagos and Ogun states.

He added that operatives recovered AK-47 rifles, assault weapons, locally fabricated pistols, battle axes, live ammunition, mobile phones and other items linked to criminal activities.

Ojajuni reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to sustaining the operation until kidnapping and violent crimes are significantly reduced across both states.

He added that the initiative could eventually be expanded to other parts of the country if it continues to produce positive security outcomes.

Speaking at the briefing, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani dismissed reports suggesting that bandits had infiltrated and taken control of parts of Lagos and Ogun states.

He said ongoing security operations had proved such claims to be false, stressing that security agencies remained firmly in control of the affected communities.

According to Tijani, Operation KOSAYE involves coordinated security sweeps across forests, border communities and identified criminal hideouts stretching from Lagos into Ogun State.

“Our personnel thoroughly combed forests and other identified locations. This operation is not a one-off exercise. It will continue for as long as necessary to keep our communities safe,” he said.

The Lagos police commissioner further disclosed that the IGP had directed commissioners of police in neighbouring states to work closely together in securing interstate border corridors and dismantling criminal gangs operating across state boundaries.

He commended the governors of Lagos and Ogun states for providing the logistics and operational support that contributed to the success of the exercise.

“The results speak for themselves. You have seen the rescued victims, the suspects arrested and the recoveries made. This demonstrates our commitment to protecting lives and property,” Tijani added.

One of the rescued victims, Jimoh Badamosi, narrated how he and four others were kidnapped while travelling to Ibadan.

The 58-year-old said heavily armed men suddenly emerged around Ogbere Forest, opened fire on moving vehicles and forced passengers out at gunpoint before marching five victims from three different vehicles into the forest.

According to him, the kidnappers demanded ₦40 million from his family for his release, while another victim was asked to produce ₦30 million.

Badamosi said they had spent less than 24 hours in captivity when they suddenly heard heavy gunfire.

“We later heard the kidnappers shouting that the Nigeria Police had arrived. They ordered us to lie down, but when we heard police officers calling us, we crawled towards them and were rescued,” he recounted.

He commended the police for the swift rescue operation and urged the Federal Government to provide security agencies with more sophisticated weapons, establish additional security checkpoints and strengthen surveillance around forests frequently used as criminal hideouts.

Other rescued victims also expressed gratitude to the police, describing the operation as timely and life-saving.

Police authorities urged residents of both states to continue providing timely and credible intelligence, stressing that community support remains crucial in the ongoing fight against kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.

Police kill four kidnappers, rescue five victims in Lagos-Ogun joint operation