The House of Representatives has summoned Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), over the alleged arrest of Bello Bodejo, President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
During Thursday’s plenary, the parliament directed Musa and Oluyede to ensure the release of Bodejo from detention and address concerns over the violation of his constitutionally guaranteed rights.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Mansur Soro, a lawmaker from Bauchi State.
Last week, Bodejo’s family reported that he was detained by officers of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Maliya, Nasarawa State. Suleiman Waziri, Bodejo’s brother, said the arrest was connected to a dispute involving herders and a retired army general in the Tudun Wada area of Nasarawa.
Presenting the motion, Soro stated that Bodejo was arrested without prior notice or a court order. He also noted that Bodejo has not been arraigned in court, despite being in detention for over a week.
Soro described the detention as a violation of Bodejo’s fundamental rights under sections 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The motion was approved through a voice vote conducted by Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House.
The CDS, COAS, and the commanding officer of the 177 Battalion are expected to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday.
