By Adeyemi Adekunle
Abuja, Nigeria – The House of Representatives has issued a firm directive to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oloyede, to release the President of Miyetti Allah, Bello Badejo, who has been unlawfully detained by military personnel.
The House made this resolution following a motion raised by Hon. Mansur Soro during Tuesday’s plenary session. Soro decried the actions of the military, revealing that Badejo was arrested on December 9, 2024, in Maliya town, Nasarawa State, by officers of the 177 Battalion without prior notice, invitation, or court order.
According to Soro, the arrest stemmed from a dispute reportedly involving a retired military general and certain members of the community. He emphasized that Badejo’s detention contravenes Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which uphold the right to dignity, personal liberty, and a fair hearing.
“The unlawful detention of Bello Badejo is not only unconstitutional but an outright violation of his fundamental rights,” Soro stated. He further argued that no Nigerian, regardless of their position, should be subjected to arbitrary detention without due process.
The House subsequently passed a resolution summoning Gen. Musa, Lt-Gen. Oloyede, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion to appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice.
The military leaders are to explain the circumstances surrounding the arrest and justify the actions of officers under their command. The hearing has been scheduled for December 20, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
In its resolution, the House condemned the actions of the 177 Battalion officers and described the detention as a violation of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. The lawmakers insisted that Badejo be released immediately and called for a formal apology from the military for infringing on his rights.
“This sets a dangerous precedent where law enforcement can trample on citizens’ rights with impunity,” Soro added. “We must ensure that our security agencies respect the rule of law and the rights of Nigerians.”
The detention of Bello Badejo has sparked concerns among stakeholders in the region, with some calling for greater oversight of military operations involving civilians.
