Reps summons COAS, CDS over alleged rights violations

The House of Representatives has summoned the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion to appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, December 20.

The summons aims to address allegations that officers under their command violated constitutional provisions by overstepping their roles in resolving civil disputes, a function legally reserved for the Nigerian Police and the courts.

During the session, the House condemned the actions of the 177 Battalion and called on the military chiefs to order the immediate release of Alhaji Bello Badejo, who was reportedly detained unlawfully.

The House further demanded an apology from the Army for infringing on Badejo’s constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.

The motion titled, “Urgent need to preserve public order and to intervene in the unlawful arrest and detention of a community leader, Alhaji Bello Badejo, by the officers of 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.”

Moving the motion, Mr. Soro noted that the laws of the federation restricted the operation of the Nigerian military to protecting the external and territorial integrity of Nigeria and acting in aid of the civil authorities.

He stated that “On December 9, 2024, “a distinguished community leader in person of Alhaji Bello Badejo was arrested in Maliya town of Nassarawa State in a commando style by the officers of the 177 battalion of the Nigerian Army with no prior invitation or court injunction.”

He added that the arrest “is allegedly in connection to a misunderstanding between a retired military general and some members of the Maliya community.”

The Bauchi lawmaker also lamented that one week after the arrest, Badejo is yet to be arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction as required by the extant laws of the land.

“The House is disturbed that the continued detention of Bello Badejo by officers of the Nigerian Army without formal charge(s) is a violation of his fundamental human rights as provided for in sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Following the overwhelming support for the bill, the House called on the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff to order the immediate release of Alh Bello Badejo from unlawful detention and to also apologise to him for infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.