Following the alleged arrest and detention of a community leader in Nasarawa state, the Members of the House of Representatives have agreed to invite the Chief of Defense Staff, the Chief of Army staff and the commanding officer of the 177 battalion to appear on Thursday the 19th of December to explain the reason behind such actions.
Honourable Mansur Soro who moved the motion during Tuesday’s plenary, explained that on December 9th 2024, the community leader Bello Badejo was arrested in Maliya town, Nasarawa State by officers of the 177 battalion of the Nigerian Army with no prior invitation or court injunction.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oloyede and the Commanding Officer of 177 Battalion had been criticised over the unlawful arrest and detention of Bodejo.
He further stated that one week after, Badejo is yet to be arraigned, which signifies an unlawful act by the Nigerian Army and a violation of the fundamental human rights as provided in sections 34, 35 and 36 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.
It called on the “Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff to order the immediate release of Alhaji Bello Badejo from unlawful detention and to also apologize to him for infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.
“Invite the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and the Commanding Officer of 177 Battalion to cause an appearance before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights and Justice on Thursday 20th December 2024 at 3:00 pm to explain why officers under their command violated the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution”.
The service chiefs are to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights and Justice.
