The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede to order the immediate release of a Nasarawa community leader, Bello Badejo by officers of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
The resolution of the house followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State, Mr Mansur Soro.
The motion is titled, “Urgent need to preserve public order and to intervene in the unlawful arrest and detention of a community leader, Alhaji Bello Badejo by the officers of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.”
Rallying his colleagues to support the cause, Soro noted that the laws of the federation restricted the operation of the Nigerian military to protecting the external and territorial integrity of Nigeria and acting in aid of the civil authorities.
He stated, “On December 9, 2024, a distinguished community leader in the person of Alhaji Bello Badejo was arrested in Maliya town of Nassarawa State in a commando style by the officers of the 177 battalion of the Nigerian Army with no prior invitation or court injunction.”
He added that the arrest “Is allegedly in connection to a misunderstanding between a retired military general and some members of the Maliya community.”
The Bauchi lawmaker also lamented that one week after the arrest, Badejo is yet to be arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction as required by the extant laws of the land.
He stated, “The House is disturbed that the continued detention of Bello Badejo by officers of the Nigerian Army without formal charge(s) is a violation of his fundamental human rights as provided for, in sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Following the overwhelming support for the bill, the House called on the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff to order the immediate release of Badejo from unlawful detention and to also apologise to him for infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.
It also condemned the attempt by the officers of the 177 battalion to take over the work of the Nigerian Police and the courts in resolving disputes between citizens.
Finally, the House resolved to invite the CDS, COAS, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 battalion to appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, December 20, 2024, at 3:00 pm to explain why officers under their command violated the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
