Fulani Community Urges President Tinubu To Release Their Leader Bello From Detention

The Fulani community in Nigeria has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the case of the national president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo Bello, who has been in detention since December 9, 2024.

This was as the community expressed deep concern over the continued detention of their leader, despite a valid court ruling declaring his detention illegal and unconstitutional.

A letter signed by Amb. Mohammed Tasiu Suleiman, National Public Relations Officer of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Socio-cultural Association, said that Bello was arrested by the Nigerian Army and later transferred to the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and then to the State Security Service (SSS).

It stated that despite repeated arrests in the past, no charges have been proffered against him believing that he is innocent and was illegally arrested by individuals who have found themselves in positions of power.

The letter also highlighted the health concerns of Bello, who it said stressed required urgent medical attention for an illness he has been suffering from and therefore urged President Tinubu to use his veto power to order his immediate and unconditional release.

The Fulani community also expressed shock and concern over the treatment of Bodejo Bello, who publicly campaigned and rallied his people to support the APC and President Tinubu’s presidency in 2023.

They urged Tinubu to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of their leader and ensure that justice is served.

The letter also drew attention to the detention of individuals involved in injuring a retired General and their cattle, which numbered over 500 and questioned the crime of Bello, who is a law-abiding citizen, peace advocate, philanthropist, and core supporter/mobilizer for the APC.

The Fulani community noted that in a considered ruling delivered by Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on December 30, 2024, which declared the detention of Bello illegal and unconstitutional.

The group also said that the court ordered his release from custody forthwith, adding however, that he was rearrested and detained on December 31, 2024.