Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, for his involvement in the formation of a vigilante group in Nasarawa State.
The arrest took place on Tuesday at the Miyetti Allah’s Head Office, situated at Tundun Maliya Cattle Market, Kilometre 22, Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Tundun-Wada, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. DSS personnel, accompanied by Nigerian Army soldiers, reportedly raided the Miyetti Allah’s Head Office around 3:40 pm and arrested Bodejo at the gate before leaving the premises.
A reliable DSS source, confirming the arrest, disclosed that concerns about the Nomad’s Vigilante Group potentially inciting violence across the nation prompted Bodejo’s detention. The source highlighted that the group lacked registration with the DSS, the police, or any other security agency, rendering it unrecognized by the Federal Government.
The source stated, “Our (DSS) operatives and soldiers of the Nigerian Army stormed the Miyetti Allah’s Head Office in Nasarawa this afternoon, and we’ve arrested their National President, Bello Bodejo, for creating a vigilante group that is not recognized by the government. The creation of that nomad’s vigilante group could cause violence in the country. The group was not registered with the DSS, the police, or any other security agency, and the group is not recognized by the Federal Government.”
Upon reaching out to the DSS spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, for comments on the situation, there was no response to phone calls and text messages from our correspondent.
Meanwhile, Bodejo had previously emphasized that the volunteer vigilantes would strictly adhere to existing laws during their operations. At the inauguration in Lafia, Nasarawa State, he urged the volunteer vigilantes to collaborate with the Police, Army, and other security agencies to ensure a more comprehensive approach to security across the 13 local councils of Nasarawa.
