Breaking: Nigerian Army Arrests Miyetti Allah's President Over Herder Incident

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  • The Nigerian army has reportedly arrested the president of the Miyetti Allah Kautal, Bello Bodejo
  • Bodejo's family released a statement indicating he was taken into custody on December 10, 2024
  • According to Bodejo's brother, officers of the 117 Battalion of the Nigerian Army had made the arrest

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The family of Bello Bodejo, the president of Miyetti Allah Kautal, have spoken out against the Nigerian Army's arrest and detention of him.

According to his brother, Suleiman Waziri, Bodejo was taken into custody on December 10, 2024, by officers of the 117 Battalion of the Nigerian Army at his office in Maliya, Nasarawa state.

The arrest allegedly stemmed from an incident involving some herders and a retired army general in the Tudun Wada area of Nasarawa.

The Nigerian Army is being blamed for the arrest of Miyetti Allah president, Bello Bodejo. Photo Credit: @DefenceInfoNGSource: Twitter

On December 8, 2024, a retired general reportedly discharged firearms at a herd of cattle, causing significant losses for the herders.

The Cable reported that the herders then disarmed the general and reported the matter to the police. Waziri claims that his brother was not involved in the incident but was instead detained for attempting to help secure the release of confiscated cattle.

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Family condemns arrest of Miyetti Allah leader

Waziri described the arrest as 'unlawful' and a 'gross injustice', calling on the military authorities to release Bodejo, citing the lack of evidence linking him to any wrongdoing.

Waziri also requested that the 117 Battalion grant his legal representatives access to Bodejo and that a thorough investigation be conducted to establish the facts and ensure justice for all parties involved.

This is not Bodejo's first run-in with the law. On January 23, 2024, he was arrested for unveiling a vigilante group, which the federal government accused him of using to raise an armed militia. However, on May 29, 2024, the court discharged Bodejo of the alleged terrorism charge filed against him.

The family's concerns about Bodejo's detention have highlighted the ongoing tension between herders and the Nigerian government. As the situation unfolds, how the military authorities will respond to Waziri's calls for his brother's release remains to be seen.

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Militia group: Miyetti Allah leader raises alarm

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Miyetti Allah leader, who was in detention since March, had alleged that Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state was the brains behind the formation of a local militia body.

Bello Bodejo stated in an alleged confession that the governor called him to establish a group different from to that of other states. He was then arrested in January 2024 for creating the Kungiya Zaman Lafiya group.

Source: Legit.ng