The family of Bello Bodejo, President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has accused the Nigerian Army of arresting and detaining him under unclear circumstances.
In a statement on Wednesday, Suleiman Waziri, Bodejo’s brother, claimed that his arrest was carried out by officers of the 117 Battalion on Tuesday at Bodejo’s office in Maliya, Nasarawa State.
Waziri linked the arrest to a confrontation between herders and a retired Army General in Tudun Wada, Karu Local Government Area, which began on December 8, 2024.
He alleged that the retired general fired at a herd of cattle, causing losses for the herders, who subsequently disarmed him and reported the matter to the police.
According to Waziri, Bodejo’s involvement was limited to responding to an appeal for intervention.
“Relatives of the herders approached my brother on the morning of December 9, 2024, seeking his assistance as a respected leader to help secure the release of their confiscated cattle,” Waziri said.
He alleged that Bodejo was detained unfairly, with no evidence linking him to the incident in Tudun Wada.
Efforts by legal representatives and family members to meet him have reportedly been denied.
“Both I and his legal counsel were denied access to him when we visited the 117 Battalion.
The commanding officer claimed that such permission could only come from higher authorities,” Waziri added.
The family described the arrest as a “gross injustice” and called on the Chief of Army Staff and relevant authorities to secure Bodejo’s immediate release.
“We urge the Chief of Army Staff to direct the immediate and unconditional release of Alhaji Bello Bodejo, as no evidence has been presented linking him to any wrongdoing.
We also call for an impartial investigation into the Tudun Wada incident to ensure justice for all parties involved,” Waziri said.
This is not the first time Bodejo has faced legal challenges. In January, he was arrested for launching a vigilante group under the Miyetti Allah banner in Nasarawa State.
The Federal Government accused him of forming an ethnic militia, leading to a legal battle.
By May, terrorism-related charges against him were dropped after the Attorney General’s office withdrew the case.
The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement on Bodejo’s recent arrest. The family has urged authorities to avoid politically motivated actions and ensure due process is followed.
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