News
Unlawful Arrest , Detention Of Alhaji Bello Badejo By 117 Battalion, Nigeria Army
My name is Suleiman waziri, and I am the brother of Alhaji Bello Badejo, a respected community leader and businessman based in Maliya, Nasarawa State. It is with deep concern and disappointment that I address the public today regarding the unlawful arrest and continued detention of my brother by officers of the 117 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Keffi, Nasarawa State.
On the 8th of December 2024, an incident occurred at Tudun Wada, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, involving a retired General of the Nigerian Army. The General reportedly discharged firearms at a herd of cattle, causing significant losses for the herders. Acting in self-defense, the herders disarmed the General and reported the matter to the police.
Despite having no connection or involvement with this incident, Alhaji Bello Badejo was arrested on the 9th of December 2024 at his office in Maliya, Nasarawa State, in a commando-style operation carried out by the 117 Battalion. His arrest is wholly unwarranted and appears to be based on unfounded allegations.
My brother’s only involvement in this matter arose when relatives of the herders approached him earlier on the morning of 9th December 2024, pleading for his intervention as a respected leader to help secure the release of their confiscated cattle. This was purely a humanitarian effort on his part, yet he was unfairly detained without evidence linking him to the events in Tudun Wada.
Efforts by our legal representatives to meet with Alhaji Bello Badejo have been stonewalled. On visiting the 117 Battalion, both I and his legal counsel were denied access to him. The Commanding Officer claimed that permission to see him could only come from “above.” This denial is a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights to liberty, dignity, and legal representation.
We wish to emphasize the following points:
- Alhaji Bello Badejo is innocent and has no connection to the alleged incident or the herders involved. He was with me in Maliya on 8th and 9th December 2024, preparing for the opening of the Maliya Market Ceremony.
- His continued detention without formal charges or court proceedings violates his fundamental rights as enshrined in Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
- The denial of access to his legal representatives is an additional breach of his right to fair hearing and legal defense.
We call on the Chief of Army Staff and other relevant authorities to:
- Order the immediate and unconditional release of Alhaji Bello Badejo, as no evidence has been presented linking him to any wrongdoing.
- Direct the 117 Battalion to grant his legal representatives unhindered access to him.
- Ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident at Tudun Wada to establish the facts and ensure justice for all parties involved.
The unlawful arrest and continued detention of an innocent man is not only a gross injustice but also undermines the trust between citizens and the institutions meant to protect them. We urge the Nigerian Army to act swiftly to correct this wrongful act and restore the rights and dignity of Alhaji Bello Badejo.
We appeal to the public, the media, and human rights organizations to support us in ensuring that justice prevails in this matter.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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