From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Soldiers from the 117 Guards’ Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Keffi, Nasarawa State, have arrested Alhaji Bello Badejo, President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, fulani socio-cultural organization.
Alhaji was picked up by the soldiers on Monday, following an unfriendly altercation between a retired soldier and fulani pastorists which led to some bodily injury on the retired soldier.
An official of the organisation who pleaded anonymity told Daily Sun that the continous detention of the organization’s President has caused some concerns among the fulani pastoralists considering the fact that similar thing happened earlier in the year which led to him spending over six months in detention.
The official said: “From what we gathered, some fulani pastorists had an altercation with a retired soldier suspected to Air Force who live within the Tudun Wada community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, which caused some bodily injury on the retired soldier.
“The following day, the angry soldier mobilized his colleagues from the Keffi barrack to the location. Upon arrival, they cause panic and fear in the community through their sporadic gunshots. The were said to had equally made away unspecified number of cow. Unfortunately, the matter didn’t end there.
“On Monday when the Miyetti Allah President returned from journey, the soldiers from the Keffi barrack stormed his office at Maliya cattle market, Tudun Wada, Nasarawa State, and picked him up to an unknown location, and he has been there with them without communication.
“The sad part of the drama is that these fulani pastorists are neither his children, workers, nor were known to him. But, obviously, he was picked up because he is the President of the socio-cultural organization, hence he is seen as father and leader of fulani herdsmen.
Meanwhile, there are indications that he has been transferred to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for further investigation.
Recall that in January, 2024, Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Alhaji Bodejo, over the creation of Nomad’s Vigilante Group in Nasarawa State, which they said could cause violence across the country. He was detained for almost six months that the trial lasted.