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Miyetti Allah members protest as FG charges leader with terrorism

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The Federal Government has filed a Charge, bordering on terrorism, against the President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo.

Bodejo has been in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency since his arrest on January 23.

The Miyetti Allah leader was arrested in Nasarawa State days after the organisation launched a vigilante group named, Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.

At the inauguration of the 1,144-man Fulani outfit on January 17, 2024, Bodejo said the move was to tackle banditry, cattle rustling and all forms of insecurity in Nasarawa State.

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Following his arrest, the Miyetti Allah leader filed a fundamental rights suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge his prolonged detention.

In response, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi(SAN), on February 5 filed a motion ex parte, seeking to remand Bodejo pending the conclusion of the investigation and arraignment in court.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who is hearing Bodejo’s suit, granted the Federal Government permission to detain him for 15 days in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.

Subsequently, the judge ordered the Federal Government to either file charges against the Miyetti Allah leader or release him.

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At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, the judge asked the counsel for the prosecution, Y.A. Imana, if charges had been filed against Bodejo.

“The court made an order that you should charge the defendant before a court of competent jurisdiction. Where is the evidence that you filed before this court?” The judge demanded.

In response, the lawyer told the judge, “It was filed yesterday.”

The judge, however, said the charge was not before him.

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Our correspondent also observed that the DIA did not bring Bodejo to court.

However, in the charge sheet sighted by the correspondent, the Federal Government accused Bodejo of establishing an ethnic militia group without authorisation.

The Federal Government stated that Bodejo’s action was “prejudicial to national security and public safety and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.”

Bodejo’s lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, subsequently urged the court to hear his bail application pending his client’s arraignment.

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The prosecution counsel, however, opposed the prayer for bail.

“We pray this court will dismiss the application of the defendant because it is a matter that touches on national security,” the Federal Government’s lawyer said.

Justice Ekwo adjourned till March 22 for ruling on Bodejo’s bail application.

Meanwhile, some members of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, in their numbers, stormed the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, to demand Bodejo’s unconditional.

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They held a big banner bearing a large picture of Bodejo and the inscription “Free Bello Bodejo”. Others, mostly women, lined along the road with placards in hand.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Kabir Matazu, decried the DIA’s disobedience to court orders directing that Bodejo be tried or released.

He said, “We are in a democratic society and in a democratic society, respect for the rule of law is the building block for democracy to thrive. You cannot arbitrarily arrest and detain an individual without a charge against him.

“That’s why we have gathered our members from across the country to come here to agitate and also make our voice heard that the Nigerian security agencies should, without further delay, free and release him unconditionally.”

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Matazu lamented that Bodejo’s family and friends had yet to see him since he was arrested.

Matazu said, “It is sad that up till now, his family members were not granted access to see him.

“He is not a criminal. He has no criminal record. He will not run away and leave this country. So, if not because of the failure of our security agencies, there are bandits in the forest who they should have gone after.”

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Customs disolves border patrol team amidst smuggling, brutality allegations

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of its Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT).

The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement Tuesday, said the decision was made after due consultation with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The House of Representatives had, on December 11, mandated its Committees on Customs and Excise, Defence, to investigate the operations and activities of the NCS across the nation’s borders over alleged complicity in aiding smuggling and involvement in brutality against Nigerians.

The committees were also directed to examine the role of military personnel attached to Customs patrols in order to ensure their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.

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The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Sesi Whingan who alleged that rather than prevent smuggling, recent reports showed that Customs’ personnel across the borders were aiding and abetting smuggling.

But the Customs spokesman explained yesterday that the dissolution of the joint border patrol team was part of the NCS’ efforts to strengthen border management and reinvigorate its 2025 enforcement strategy.

The JBPT, coordinated by the ONSA, evolved from an ex-swift response team to become a tripartite operation comprising Benin Republic, Niger Republic and Nigeria.

The patrol team was tasked with combating smuggling, irregular migration, and other transnational organised crimes along the nations’ borders, among others.

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Maiwada said the team’s dissolution would not compromise border security or trade facilitation, but represents a significant step towards modernising Customs’ operations, improving trade compliance and strengthening national security.

The NCS said the move was part of the organisation’s ‘2025 enforcement strategy’.

“This strategy is aimed at removing bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade,” he said.

Maiwada also disclosed that Adewale Adeniyi, NCS Comptroller-General, had approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline its operations and to ease movement of goods and persons.

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According to the statement, Adeniyi said the NCS would shift reliance to intelligence.

“Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness,” the statement quoted the CG as saying.

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Nigerians Are In Pains Because We Chose Darkness In Place Of Light — Bishop Kukah

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The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has stated that Nigerians are pains because they refused to be liberated from “darkness.”

The priest said this in his Christmas message at the Holy Family Cathedral Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese on Tuesday night.

He emphasised that embracing transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service, politics, and individual conduct could significantly improve the country’s current state.

He said, “Nigeria’s lack of visible and measurable progress is tied to the fact that we have chosen darkness rather than light.

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“Imagine if we let the light shine on our public service, on our politics, on our individual, community, and national life, and on our public institutions. Imagine what Nigeria would be like if we chose light instead of darkness.

“They will know we are Christians by our love,” highlighting that the country’s journey to greatness remains constrained by ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.

“We are still unable to embrace the ideals of our national anthem that says: ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Diversity is a gift from God. Let us use it effectively as a tool for national mobilization and cohesion,” he advised.

Kukah also lauded the passage of the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” in 2018, which opened doors for increased youth participation in politics.

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However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenges, such as the high costs of political participation and issues of internal democracy, which still hinder young people’s active engagement.

He also commended the enactment of the Student Loan Act 2024 and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund by the federal government.

These initiatives, he noted, have the potential to expand opportunities for Nigerian youth, including those pursuing vocational and technical skills.

“It is significant that the Act does not limit access to university students alone. We hope this project will be free of bureaucratic bottlenecks and favoritism, ensuring that poverty does not exclude anyone from receiving a good education,” Kukah said.

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He encouraged the youth to take full advantage of these opportunities while also expressing concern about the ongoing security challenges in the country, which he described as a persistent obstacle to national stability.

Kukah, however, called on all Nigerians to choose the path of light, unity, and love, stressing that these values are essential for the nation’s progress and development.

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Omole celebrates christian faithful, says this is time for renewal of faith in nation and state

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As Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Foundation of christianity today, the Coordinator of the Osun PDP Dynamic Support Group, Comrade Omole Oluwasegun has called on Christians in Osun State and Nigerians as a whole to renew their faith in our country, insisting that our nation must be great again.

Omole noted that Nigeria is blessed with enormous material and human resources.

He said Nigerians should believe in the greatness of our nation and support the Government to achieve the required dividends.

He called on Christians to use the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ to rededicate themselves to the advancement of the ideals of nation building. He also called for prayers against societal ills such as terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

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Omole said Nigeria and its leaders need all the prayers and support at this time to positively change the fortunes of our fatherland.

“May this Christmas present for you an opportunity to renew and grow your faith in God and our nation, Nigeria. And may you and your family be blessed beyond measure”, he prayed.

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