The President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over the creation of a vigilante group in Nasarawa State, News About Nigeria reports.
The arrest took place on Tuesday at Miyetti Allah’s Head Office, located at Tundun Maliya Cattle Market, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Tundun-Wada, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The DSS, in collaboration with Nigerian Army soldiers, reportedly conducted the operation around 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday, apprehending Bodejo at Miyetti Allah’s Head Office gate.
According to a DSS source, the arrest was prompted by concerns that the establishment of the Nomad’s Vigilante Group could potentially incite violence nationwide.
The source disclosed that the vigilante group, led by Bodejo, had not undergone registration with the DSS, the police, or any other security agency, rendering it unrecognised by the Federal Government.
The absence of formal recognition raised security apprehensions, leading to the arrest of the Miyetti Allah’s president.
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.”
The DSS spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, did not respond to inquiries via phone calls and text messages regarding the arrest.
Bodejo, in response to the arrest, had previously stated that the volunteer vigilantes would strictly adhere to existing laws during their operations.
During the inauguration of the vigilante group in Lafia, Nasarawa State, he urged the volunteers to collaborate with the Police, Army, and other security agencies for a comprehensive approach to security across the 13 local councils of Nasarawa.
