Soldiers from the 117 Guards’ Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Keffi, Nasarawa State, have arrested Bello Badejo, President of the Fulani socio-cultural organization Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
Badejo was reportedly detained on Monday after an altercation between a retired soldier and Fulani pastoralists escalated, leaving the retired soldier with injuries.
An official of the organization, who spoke to Daily Sun on condition of anonymity, expressed concern over Badejo’s continuous detention, describing it as worrisome.
The official said, “From what we gathered, some fulani pastorists had an altercation with a retired soldier suspected to Air Force who live within the Tudun Wada community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, which caused some bodily injury on the retired soldier.
“The following day, the angry soldier mobilized his colleagues from the Keffi barrack to the location. Upon arrival, they cause panic and fear in the community through their sporadic gunshots. The were said to had equally made away unspecified number of cow. Unfortunately, the matter didn’t end there.
“On Monday when the Miyetti Allah President returned from journey, the soldiers from the Keffi barrack stormed his office at Maliya cattle market, Tudun Wada, Nasarawa State, and picked him up to an unknown location, and he has been there with them without communication.
“The sad part of the drama is that these fulani pastorists are neither his children, workers, nor were known to him. But, obviously, he was picked up because he is the President of the socio-cultural organization, hence he is seen as father and leader of fulani herdsmen.”
Meanwhile, there are indications that he has been transferred to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for further investigation.