“…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…”
The Nigerian government has announced that it recently arrested seven terrorists when they were returning from the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
“…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 was quoted as saying in a statement by 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 said.
The minister’s announcement is expected to raise concerns among Nigerians about how the terrorists were allowed to go for the Hajj exercise. It also follows allegations that the Katsina State Government sponsored the Hajj exercise for some terrorists. Although the state government has denied the allegation, Mr Tunji-Ojo’s revelation will raise more dust on the issue.
Details later…
