The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Sociocultural Association has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and relevant authorities to intervene in the continued detention of its national leader, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo.
The association made the appeal through its North-Central chairman, Idris Gidado-Bebeji, during a press conference in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday. It also called on National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and relevant security agencies to help resolve the matter.
Gidado-Bebeji said the continued detention of Bodejo had caused concern among his family, associates, supporters and members of the wider pastoralist community. He described the Miyetti Allah leader as an advocate for Fulani pastoralists who had contributed to peaceful coexistence, national unity and the welfare of pastoralist communities.
According to the association, Bodejo was arrested by Department of State Services operatives in Jalingo, Taraba State, on the day he declared his intention to contest the Taraba Central senatorial seat. The group said he was subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, where he spent almost four months in detention before being released after reportedly fulfilling the conditions for his release.
The association further alleged that Bodejo was rearrested by DSS operatives on August 28, 2026. These details were presented by the association and have not been independently established in the available reports.
The group said it recognised the constitutional responsibilities of security and law-enforcement agencies and was not asking authorities to obstruct any lawful investigation. Instead, it called for the circumstances and legal basis for Bodejo’s continued detention to be reviewed.
Gidado-Bebeji said that if there was a lawful basis for further investigation or prosecution, the matter should proceed in accordance with due process. However, he appealed for Bodejo’s release if his continued detention was no longer legally necessary.
The association also appealed to the Tinubu administration because Bodejo is described by its members as a supporter and member of the APC who backed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket during the 2023 presidential election.
While seeking the President’s intervention, the group commended the administration for what it described as efforts to promote the development and inclusion of pastoralist communities, particularly through the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The development also comes amid a separate political warning from some Miyetti Allah members over the 2027 elections. Premium Times reported that the group said it could reconsider its support for the APC if Bodejo remained in detention, with one of its leaders saying its votes would go to politicians who demonstrate concern for the interests of the Fulani community.
However, the association's North-Central leadership stressed that its present appeal was not intended to place Bodejo above the law. It urged its members and the wider pastoralist community to remain calm and law-abiding while pursuing dialogue and constitutional channels to resolve the matter.
The group said its demand was ultimately for justice, fairness and due process, while leaving the relevant security and judicial authorities to determine the legal circumstances surrounding Bodejo’s detention.
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