Court gives intelligence agency go-ahead to detain Miyetti Allah president, six others for 60 days

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, gave the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) the go-ahead to detain the President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo, and six others for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigation.

The judge gave the order following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to the DIA, I.O. Odom.

The DIA had in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1875/V/2024 sought the order to detain the defendants for the period in the first instance.

Other defendants are Suleiman Abba, Umar Jibrin, Umar Bello, Muhammed Ayuba, Jibrin Baba, and Saidu Wakili.

In the affidavit deposed to by Bonny Ozegbe, an investigating officer with DIA, he said the respondents were arrested by the military in Nasarawa State and were brought to DIA on December 11 for further investigation on their alleged crimes against and possible prosecution by the appropriate agency.

Ozegbe alleged that all the respondents were arrested for the alleged banditry and illegal arms possession.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the defendants attacked a military formation deployed to Nasarawa State during an attack on farmers and farmlands within the area.

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“The attack resulted in grievous injuries against personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other civilians. They also carted away arms and ammunition belonging to the military personnel.

“During the operation that led to the arrest of the respondents, several weapons were recovered from the respondents including Ak47 rifles and ammunition as well as other dangerous weapons.

“The preliminary investigation report also revealed that the 2nd to 7th respondents who were involved in the incident carried out the attacks in Nasarawa State on the instructions of the 1st respondent (Bodejo) who is their leader.”

Ozegbe said this was not the first time Bodejo had been arrested for issues relating to insecurity in the North-Central.

In his ruling, the judge held that the application was meritorious.

“The prayer is hereby granted,” he said.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter till March 3, 2025, for mention.

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