The House of Representatives has called on the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army to appear before its Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, December 20, 2024, to explain alleged human rights violations by officers under their command.
The summons follows a motion of urgent public importance brought by Mansur Manu Soro, a member representing Bauchi State. Soro expressed concerns over the unlawful detention of Alh Bello Badejo, a respected community leader from Maliya town in Nassarawa State, by officers of the 177 Battalion. Soro highlighted that the detention violated the constitutional rights of the detainee and urged the military to immediately release him.
Soro further condemned the actions of the 177 Battalion, accusing them of acting outside their legal scope by taking on roles traditionally reserved for the Nigerian Police and judiciary. He emphasized that the 1999 Nigerian Constitution guarantees the fundamental human rights to life and dignity and restricts the military’s role to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and aiding civil authorities, not resolving civil disputes.
According to Soro’s motion, Alh Bello Badejo was arrested on December 9, 2024, in what was described as a “commando-style” operation, with no prior court injunction or invitation. The arrest was allegedly linked to a dispute between the Maliya community and a retired military general. Badejo has yet to be charged or arraigned before a competent court, which Soro argues is a clear violation of his constitutional rights, particularly sections 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect individual freedoms.
The House’s call for accountability from the military leadership aims to ensure that constitutional rights are upheld and that military operations remain within the boundaries of the law. The committee hearings on December 20 will provide a platform for military officials to respond to the allegations and address concerns about the conduct of their personnel.
