The House of Representatives has invited the Chief of Defense Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and the commanding officer of the 177 Battalion to explain an alleged unlawful arrest and detention of a community leader in Nasarawa State.
The decision was made during Tuesday’s plenary after a motion was presented by Honourable Mansur Soro.
Soro explained that the community leader, Bello Badejo, was arrested on December 9, 2024, in Maliya town, Nasarawa State, by officers of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. The arrest, he said, was carried out without any prior invitation or court order.
Soro further stated that, one week after the arrest, Badejo has still not been arraigned in court. He described the situation as a violation of fundamental human rights under sections 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees dignity, freedom, and fair trial.
“The actions of the 177 Battalion go against the rights of Nigerians as protected by the constitution,” Soro said.
The House resolved to invite the service chiefs and the commanding officer to appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, December 20, 2024.
The lawmakers emphasized the importance of accountability and respect for the rule of law by security agencies. The committees are expected to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure justice is done.
