THE Department of State Service (DSS) has denied the arrest of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore President, Bello Bodejo.
It was reported earlier that operatives of the Service had picked up Bodejo on Tuesday, January 23, at the Miyetti Allah’s head office, Tundun Maliya Cattle Market, Kilometre 22, Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Tundun-Wada, Karu Local Council of Nasarawa State, over the creation of a vigilante group in the state.
The report said the DSS operatives, alongside soldiers of the Nigerian Army, stormed the Miyetti Allah’s head office close to Goshen Church, about 3:40pm and drove off after arresting Bodejo at the gate.
Many Nigerians have expressed fears that the creation of the vigilante group could cause violence across the country, especially as it was not registered with the DSS, the Police or any other security agency; hence it is not recognised by the Federal Government.
DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, in a terse statement on Tuesday night, said Bodejo was not in its custody.
Meanwhile, following its creation, Bodejo had emphasised that the volunteer vigilantes would strictly adhere to the country’s existing laws during their operations.
During its inauguration in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Bodejo urged the volunteer vigilantes to work in collaboration with the Police, Army and other security agencies to ensure a more comprehensive approach to security, adding that the vigilante group is made up of 1,144 Fulani youths selected from various communities across the 13 local councils of the state.
He stated that profiling of persons interested in joining the group was ongoing, as the target was to recruit up to 4,000 youths.
