The House of Representatives has resolved to summon the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion over the alleged unlawful arrest and detention of a community leader in Nasarawa State.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Honourable Mansur Soro during Tuesday’s plenary.
Soro informed the House that on December 9, 2024, the community leader, Bello Badejo, was arrested in Maliya town by officers of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army without any prior invitation or court order.
He further expressed concern that one week after the arrest, Badejo is yet to be arraigned, describing the incident as a violation of the fundamental human rights guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
The House mandated the Service Chiefs to appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, December 20, 2024, to explain the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention.
The lawmakers underscored the need to uphold constitutional rights and ensure the Nigerian Army complies with the rule of law.
