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:

1. 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.
2. 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).
3. 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:

1. Order the immediate and unconditional release of Alhaji Bello Badejo, as no evidence has been presented linking him to any wrongdoing.
2. Direct the 117 Battalion to grant his legal representatives unhindered access to him.
3. 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.

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