From Suleiman Abubakar
A group, the Fulani Youth Association of Nigeria (FUYAN), has condemned the ongoing detention of Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, the president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio-cultural organization in the country.
This was contained In a press release issued by its convener, Ambassador Mohammed Tasiu Suleiman, FUYAN described Bodejo's continued detention by the Nigerian Army as illegal.
According to FUYAN, the Army lacks constitutional authority to detain any individual beyond 24 hours and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and order his immediate release.
They disclosed that the Miyetti Allah leader was apprehended at his office in Tudun Wada, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State and is currently being held at a Nigerian Army facility in the Asokoro area of the Federal Capital Territory.
“The Nigerian Army is not empowered by our laws to detain any citizen. Only the Police and the DSS have the authority to detain a citizen. Detaining Alhaji Bodejo for this extended period is illegal.
“The Army should transfer our leader to the Police or the DSS and provide them with records of their investigation. By this unlawful action, the Army is exceeding its constitutional mandate.
“We call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to urgently order the immediate release of Bello Bodejo.
“The Nigerian Army has no constitutional authority to detain any individual beyond 24 hours without charging them to court. Therefore, the detention of our Leader, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, is contrary to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” FUYAN stated.
Mr. Suleiman, however, appealed to the association's members and kinsmen to remain calm and law-abiding as they await the release of their leader.
The continued detention of Bello Bodejo by the Nigerian Army without trial, the Fulani youth leader said, is a flagrant display of impunity, and their lawyers are preparing to address this matter.
“If the Army has any evidence against Bello Bodejo for committing an offense recognized by law, he should be brought before a competent court. Subjecting him to unlawful detention infringes on his fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution.
“The Nigerian security apparatus, known for its professionalism and respect for the rule of law, should demonstrate such conduct by granting the President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, his constitutional rights as a law-abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and allow him to return home, as his continued detention is illegal and unconstitutional,” the statement further reads.
Bodejo was recently arrested in connection with the inauguration of the Nomad Vigilante Group in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, on January 17, following public outcry.
The event, held at the City Square, Lafia, was attended by representatives of the country’s conventional security agencies who advised the group to operate within existing laws.
Bodejo stated that the primary objective of the group is to help secure the livelihoods of farmers and herders, aid in information gathering and intelligence sharing with Nigerian security agencies regarding criminals and criminal activities within local communities, as well as promote peace in rural areas.
