Nigerian Army arrests Miyetti Allah leader in Nasarawa

Soldiers from the 117 Guards’ Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Keffi, Nasarawa State, have arrested Alhaji Bello Badejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio-cultural organization.

Bodejo was arrested on Monday, following a reported altercation between Fulani pastoralists and a retired soldier that resulted in injuries to the former serviceman.

An anonymous source within Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore expressed concern over Alhaji Badejo’s continued detention, describing it as a troubling recurrence.

The source revealed that earlier this year, a similar incident led to Badejo spending over six months in detention.

According to the source, the current conflict began when Fulani pastoralists reportedly clashed with a retired Air Force officer in Tudun Wada, Karu Local Government Area.

He said the following day, the retired officer mobilized soldiers from the Keffi barracks, who arrived in the community, firing sporadically and seizing an unspecified number of cattle.

He added that on Monday, when Alhaji Badejo returned from a journey, soldiers stormed his office at the Maliya cattle market in Tudun Wada and detained him.

“These pastoralists are neither his children nor his employees, yet he was apprehended because he is the President of the socio-cultural organization, seen as the father figure of Fulani herdsmen,” the source told Daily Sun.

Reports suggest that Alhaji Badejo may have been transferred to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for further investigation.

This arrest follows a similar incident in January 2024, when Badejo was detained by the Department of State Services for creating a Nomad’s Vigilante Group in Nasarawa State.

Authorities had expressed concerns that the group’s activities could incite violence nationwide.