The family of Alhaji Bello Badejo, the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has accused the Nigerian Army of unlawful arrest and detention following an incident involving a retired Army General in Nasarawa State.
According to his brother, Suleiman Waziri, Badejo was arrested on December 9, 2024, by officers of the 117 Battalion, stationed in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The arrest is believed to be connected to an altercation that took place on December 8, 2024, at Tudun Wada, Karu Local Government Area, between a retired Army General and a group of herders. The General reportedly fired at a herd of cattle, resulting in significant losses for the herders. In self-defense, the herders disarmed the General and reported the matter to the police.
Waziri maintains that his brother had no involvement in the incident and was targeted solely for his role as a respected community leader. “On the day of the incident, Alhaji Badejo was in Maliya, preparing for the opening of the Maliya Market Ceremony, and was not connected to the events at Tudun Wada,” he said. He further explained that Badejo became involved only when relatives of the herders sought his help to secure the release of their confiscated cattle.
The family also expressed concern over the conditions of Badejo’s detention, claiming that access to him has been blocked by the 117 Battalion. Despite repeated requests, the family’s legal team has been denied permission to meet with him, with the Commanding Officer citing the need for approval from higher authorities.
The family has called on the Chief of Army Staff and other relevant authorities to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Badejo, while also requesting that his legal representatives be granted unrestricted access to him. They are also demanding a transparent investigation into the events at Tudun Wada.
In a statement to journalists, Lieutenant Olokodana Odunayo, Acting Public Relations Officer of the Guards Brigade, confirmed that Badejo had been transferred to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). However, he did not provide further details on the circumstances of the transfer.
The family continues to seek justice for what they describe as an unjustified detention of their relative.
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