Kehinde Fajobi
The House of Representatives has summoned the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion over the alleged unlawful arrest and detention of a Nasarawa community leader, Alhaji Bello Badejo.
The resolution followed a motion by Hon. Mansur Soro during Tuesday’s plenary.
Soro explained that “on December 9, 2024, the community leader, Bello Badejo, was arrested in Maliya town, Nasarawa State by officers of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army with no prior invitation or court injunction.”
He added that one week after the arrest, Badejo remains in detention without being arraigned, describing the situation as a violation of fundamental human rights.
Soro said the action contravenes “sections 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.”
The House directed the service chiefs and the Commanding Officer to appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, December 20, 2024.