Akpabio: NIMC database aided arrest of suspected terrorist leaders

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has revealed that Nigeria’s enhanced digital identity management system has begun delivering tangible security gains, with the integration of key government databases leading to the arrest of suspected terrorist kingpins attempting to enter the country.

Akpabio made the disclosure on Friday while addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after President Bola Tinubu assented to the newly repealed and re-enacted National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act.

According to the Senate President, the integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database with the Ministry of Interior’s digital platforms has strengthened the country’s ability to detect criminal suspects at entry points.

He said security agencies recently intercepted and arrested suspected terrorist leaders who arrived from Saudi Arabia after their identities were flagged through the integrated system.

“The Minister of Interior has already started synchronising the NIMC database with other digital platforms in his ministry, and the initiative is already producing results,” Akpabio said.

“Just last week, suspected terrorist chiefs arriving from Saudi Arabia were identified in Katsina. Once their names were entered into the system, they were immediately flagged as wanted criminals and arrested.”

Akpabio described the newly signed NIMC Act as a major milestone in modernising Nigeria’s digital identity framework, noting that the previous law had remained in place for nearly two decades despite significant technological advancements.

He said the legislation would improve national security, immigration management, infrastructure planning, economic development and digital governance by establishing a more comprehensive and integrated identity management system.