Nigeria TV Info 

Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Arrested Returning from Mecca at Katsina Airport

Seven suspected commanders linked to the terrorist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been arrested by security operatives at Katsina Airport after returning from the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

According to security sources, the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated intelligence-led screening of pilgrims arriving from Saudi Arabia. The operation was reportedly carried out by a joint team of security agencies following credible intelligence indicating that some high-profile insurgent leaders intended to re-enter Nigeria disguised as returning pilgrims.

The arrested individuals are believed to have occupied strategic positions within Boko Haram and ISWAP, with investigators suspecting their involvement in planning and coordinating terrorist activities across Nigeria's North-East region. Authorities are currently conducting detailed interrogations to determine their level of involvement in previous attacks and to identify possible collaborators within and outside the country.

Security officials stated that the arrests represent a significant breakthrough in ongoing counter-terrorism operations aimed at disrupting insurgent networks and preventing the movement of suspected terrorists through legitimate travel channels. They emphasized that intelligence gathering and enhanced screening measures at airports and border entry points remain critical to national security.

The suspects are expected to remain in custody while investigations continue. Security agencies have assured Nigerians that anyone found to have violated the country's anti-terrorism laws will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

The development has renewed calls for stronger security screening of international travelers, particularly during large religious pilgrimages, to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from exploiting such opportunities to evade detection.