The House of Representatives has summoned the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, over the detention of Bello Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. The parliament has urged the military leaders to order Bodejo’s “immediate release” from detention and apologize to him for violating his fundamental human rights.
The resolution was passed after a motion of urgent public importance was adopted during Thursday’s plenary session. Mansur Soro, a lawmaker from Bauchi State, alleged that Bodejo was arrested in a commando-style operation by officers of the 117 battalion of the Nigerian Army in Maliya, Nasarawa State.
Bodejo’s family claims that the arrest is related to an incident involving some herders and a retired army general in Tudun Wada, Nasarawa. Soro argued that Bodejo’s continued detention breaches his fundamental human rights and violates sections 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has previously denied claims that Bodejo is in their custody .Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has called on Musa, Oluyede, and the commanding officer of the 177 battalion to appear before the committees on army, human rights, and justice on Thursday.
