The arrest and detention of Bello Badejo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has ignited a controversy, with his family vehemently asserting his innocence and decrying the Nigerian Army’s actions as unlawful. Badejo’s apprehension on December 9, 2024, by officers of the 117 Battalion stationed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, stems from an incident involving a retired Army General and a group of herders in Tudun Wada, Karu Local Government Area, the previous day. While the military authorities remain tight-lipped about the specifics of the charges against Badejo, his family maintains he played no part in the confrontation and was targeted solely for his attempts to mediate the ensuing dispute as a respected community figure.
The incident that precipitated Badejo’s arrest involved a retired Army General allegedly firing upon a herd of cattle, resulting in substantial losses for the herders. In response, the herders reportedly disarmed the General and promptly reported the incident to the police. Badejo’s brother, Suleiman Waziri, speaking on behalf of the family, insists that Badejo was not present at the scene of the altercation, being occupied with preparations for the opening of the Maliya Market Ceremony in Maliya, Nasarawa State, on the day of the incident. He asserts that Badejo’s only involvement came the following morning when relatives of the herders sought his intervention as a respected leader to assist in retrieving their confiscated cattle.
The family strongly contests the narrative surrounding Badejo’s arrest, characterizing it as a “commando-style operation” carried out by the 117 Battalion. They denounce the arrest as wholly unwarranted and based on unsubstantiated allegations, emphasizing Badejo’s absence from the scene of the initial confrontation and his subsequent involvement limited to mediating the dispute. The family’s concern is further amplified by the alleged denial of access to legal counsel and family members, with the Commanding Officer of the 117 Battalion purportedly insisting that such access requires authorization from higher authorities.
This denial of access raises serious concerns about due process and the transparency of the investigation. The family’s legal team has been reportedly rebuffed in their attempts to meet with Badejo, raising questions about the military’s adherence to legal protocols and the potential for procedural irregularities. The lack of clarity regarding the specific charges against Badejo, coupled with the restricted access, fuels suspicion and undermines confidence in the impartiality of the proceedings.
The family’s plea for Badejo’s immediate and unconditional release underscores their belief in his innocence and their apprehension about his treatment in detention. They call for a transparent and impartial investigation into the Tudun Wada incident, urging authorities to examine all aspects of the case, including the General’s alleged discharge of firearms and the subsequent actions of both the herders and the military. The family’s appeal extends beyond Badejo’s release, encompassing a demand for unfettered access to legal representation, a fundamental right that appears to be currently denied.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the Guards Brigade, Lieutenant Olokodana Odunayo, confirmed Badejo’s transfer to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). This transfer, while acknowledging Badejo’s detention, sheds little light on the nature of the charges or the rationale behind the move. The lack of further details surrounding the transfer only serves to deepen the family’s anxieties and reinforces their call for transparency and due process. The case now hinges on the DIA’s investigation and subsequent actions, with the hope that a thorough and impartial inquiry will shed light on the truth and ensure justice is served.
