…call for immediate release of detained Nasarawa community
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representative has invited the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Commanding Officer of 177 battalion to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights and Justice on Thursday 20th December to explain why officers under their command violated the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
The House also condemned the attempt by officers of the 177 battalion to take over duties of the Nigerian Police and courts in resolving disputes between citizens, and called on the CDS and the COAS to order the immediate release ofAlhaji Bello Badejo from unlawful detention and apologize to him for infringing on his constitutionally-guaranteed fundamental human rights.
This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “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 177 BATTALION OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY”, by Rep. Mansur Soro, member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, on Tuesday at plenary.
Debating the motion, Rep. 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.
The motion reads: “On December 9, 2024, “A distinguished community leader in 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.”
“The arrest is allegedly in connection to a misunderstanding between a retired military general and some members of the Maliya community.”
The lawmaker also lamented that one week after the arrest, Badejo was yet to be arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction as required by the extant laws of the land.
“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)”, he added.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its relevant committees to meet the CDS, COAS on 20th Decemberand report back for further legislative action.