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Home News Miyetti Allah President Arraigned on Terrorism Charges for Establishing Vigilante Group

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Miyetti Allah President Arraigned on Terrorism Charges for Establishing Vigilante Group

Joy ChukwuMarch 22, 20241 Mins read408

The federal government, on Friday, arraigned the president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on a three-count charge filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, in which he was accused of violating the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Recall that Bodejo was apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS) for establishing a Nomad Vigilante Group aimed to ‘assist in combating security challenges’ in Nasarawa State.

The arrest took place on Tuesday, January 23, at the Miyetti Allah’s Head Office, located at Tundun Maliya Cattle Market, Kilometre 22, Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Tundun-Wada, in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The DSS operatives, accompanied by Nigerian Army soldiers, reportedly conducted a raid on the Miyetti Allah Head Office near Goshen Church around 3:40 pm on Tuesday.

Following the arrest of Bodejo at the gate, a DSS source confirmed that the arrest was prompted by concerns that the establishment of the Vigilante Group might lead to widespread violence in the country.

According to the source, the group was not registered with the DSS, the police, or any other security agency, hence not recognized by the Federal Government.

“Our (DSS) operatives, in collaboration with soldiers from the Nigerian Army, conducted a raid at the Miyetti Allah’s Head Office in Nasarawa this afternoon, leading to the arrest of their National President, Bello Bodejo.

“This action was taken due to his involvement in creating a vigilante group that lacks recognition from the government,” the source revealed.

Following the arrest, on Tuesday, March 12, the three-count charge bordering on terrorism was filed against the group’s leader before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, appearing before the court today, Bodejo pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him, after which the presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that he be further detained in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the case till May 27 for the commencement of trial.