Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a 60-day detention order for Alhaji Bello Bodejo, President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and six others.
The order was granted to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to allow the completion of investigations into allegations of banditry and illegal arms possession.
The judge issued the ruling following an ex-parte motion by DIA counsel, I.O. Odom, under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1875/V/2024, filed on December 16. The detained individuals include Bodejo, Suleiman Abba, Umar Jibrin, Umar Bello, Muhammed Ayuba, Jibrin Baba, and Saidu Wakili.
The DIA stated in its application that the suspects were apprehended by the Nigerian Armed Forces in Nasarawa State on December 11. Preliminary investigations linked the group to a violent attack on a military formation in Nasarawa, during which arms and ammunition were stolen. The incident, which reportedly involved directives from Bodejo, also targeted farmers and farmlands in the area, leaving military personnel and civilians with severe injuries.
Weapons, including AK-47 rifles and ammunition, were recovered during the operation, according to an affidavit deposed by Bonny Ozegbe, the investigating officer.
Ozegbe argued that releasing the suspects would pose a significant threat to national security, as they could continue their alleged criminal activities, evade trial, or tamper with ongoing investigations.
“I strongly believe that the respondents pose a grave threat to national security and the Nigerian citizenry at large,” he stated, urging the court to grant the detention order in the interest of justice.
After reviewing the submission, Justice Nwite deemed the application meritorious and approved the detention of the suspects in DIA custody for 60 days. The matter has been adjourned to March 3, 2025, for mention.
