News

Unlawful Arrest , Detention Of Alhaji Bello Badejo By 117 Battalion, Nigeria Army

Published

2 years ago

December 10, 2024

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.

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Foreign news

Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.

The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.

Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.

He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.

On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.

He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.

On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.

Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.

Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.

He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.

The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.

He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.

Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.

He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.

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