The Nigerian House of Representatives has urged the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oloyede, to immediately release Bello Badejo, the president of Miyetti Allah, from what they described as unlawful detention.
The directive followed a motion presented during Tuesday’s plenary session by Honorable Mansur Soro, who raised concerns over Badejo’s arrest by officers of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. The House expressed outrage over the manner of the arrest, stating that it violated the Nigerian Constitution and Badejo’s fundamental human rights.
According to Soro, Badejo was apprehended in Maliya town, Nasarawa State, on December 9, 2024, in what he described as a “commando-style operation.” He noted that no prior notice or court order had been issued before the arrest. The incident allegedly stemmed from a dispute involving a retired military general and members of the Maliya community.
Soro further highlighted that, more than a week after the arrest, Badejo had not been charged in court as required by law. “The continued detention without trial is a clear violation of Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” Soro stressed.
In response, the House passed a resolution condemning the actions of the 177 Battalion officers, stating they had overstepped their authority by handling a matter that should be under police jurisdiction. The lawmakers called for Badejo’s immediate release and demanded an apology from the military for breaching his rights.
Additionally, the House summoned General Musa, General Oloyede, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion to appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on December 20, 2024, to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
