Nigerian court orders detention of Miyetti Allah leader Bodejo pending Investigation into banditry allegations

December 31, 2024

By Adedoja Adesoji

A Federal High Court has granted the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) permission to detain Alhaji Bello Bodejo, President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and six others for 60 days.

This decision was made to allow for further investigations into allegations of banditry and illegal arms possession.

Justice Emeka Nwite approved the request following an ex-parte motion presented by DIA counsel, I.O. Odom.

The application sought to hold the respondents for an initial 60-day period to allow for thorough investigations.

The respondents include Bodejo, Suleiman Abba, Umar Jibrin, Umar Bello, Muhammed Ayuba, Jibrin Baba, and Saidu Wakili.

According to Bonny Ozegbe, an investigating officer with the DIA, the suspects were apprehended by the Nigerian Armed Forces in Nasarawa State on December 11.

Ozegbe alleged that the respondents were arrested for banditry and illegal possession of firearms. He stated that a preliminary investigation revealed that the respondents were involved in an attack on a military formation in Nasarawa State, resulting in severe injuries to Nigerian Armed Forces personnel and civilians, with military arms and ammunition being stolen.

“During the operation leading to their arrest, several weapons, including AK-47 rifles and ammunition, were recovered from the respondents,” Ozegbe said.

Ozegbe further alleged that the attack was orchestrated under the instruction of Bodejo, who is the group’s leader.

He noted that this was not Bodejo’s first arrest on charges related to insecurity in North Central Nigeria.

Ozegbe requested a 60-day remand order in DIA custody, stating, “I strongly believe the respondents pose a serious threat to national security and public safety. A court order is needed to remand them in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) pending the conclusion of the investigation and their arraignment.”

The case was adjourned until March 3, 2025, for mention. However, in a separate ruling, Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court ordered the release of Bodejo from detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), deeming his detention since December 9 without charges as unlawful.