The leader of the Fulani cattle herders’ leader, Bello Bodejo was arraigned on Friday, more than two months after he was arrested and detained by the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, NIA, for allegedly supporting an ethnic militia group.
Bodejo was arrested in January this year by the NIA for setting up a security outfit, the Nomad Volunteer Vigilante Group aka Kunjiya Zaman Lafiya consisting of 1,144 volunteers, to combat banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and all forms of insecurity in Nasarawa State.
Recall that the establishment of the outfit had been greeted with mixed feelings from Nigerians who insist that, as none-state actors members of the vigilante group would cause more security problems for the country.
Arraigning him on a three-count charge today, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, said Boyejo’s action contravened the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Bodejo however pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that he be further detained in the custody the DIA.
Bodejo was arrested on January 23 at Miyetti Allah’s office in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, shortly after he unveiled a vigilante group.
Following his arrest, the AGF, Fagbemi, SAN, on February 5, through an ex-parte motion, obtained an order that allowed the government to keep him in custody, pending the conclusion of investigation and his arraignment in court.
