Operatives of the Department of State Services apprehended Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, for his involvement in establishing a vigilante group in Nasarawa State. The arrest occurred on Tuesday at the Miyetti Allah’s Head Office, located at Tundun Maliya Cattle Market, Kilometre 22, Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Tundun-Wada, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The DSS, accompanied by soldiers from the Nigerian Army, reportedly conducted the arrest operation at the Miyetti Allah’s Head Office close to Goshen Church around 3:40 pm on Tuesday. After detaining Bodejo at the gate, they departed from the scene.
A source within the DSS confirmed the arrest, stating that it was prompted by concerns that the establishment of the Nomad’s Vigilante Group could potentially incite violence nationwide. The source further explained that the group lacked registration with the DSS, police, or any other security agency, rendering it unrecognized by the Federal Government.
The source said, “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 recognised 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 recognised by the Federal Government.”
When contacted over the development, the DSS’ spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, did not respond to phone calls and text messages by our correspondent.
Meanwhile, following the creation of the vigilante group, Bodejo had emphasised that the volunteer vigilantes would strictly adhere to the country’s existing laws during their operations.
During the inauguration in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Bodejo urged the volunteer vigilantes to work in collaboration with the Police, Army, and other security agencies to ensure a more comprehensive approach to security across the 13 local councils of Nasarawa.