Shagari Usman Yusuf, who is the Chairman of the Dei-Dei international livestock market in the Nigerian federal capital, Abuja, has been arrested and detained by the Nigerian Army, his lawyers said.
According to reports, Yusuf was arrested shortly after he featured and escalated the alleged illegal detention of 12 members of his association and two others on the Abuja-based human rights radio and television programme, “Brekete Family” in Abuja.
Yusuf also reportedly disclosed on ‘Brekete’ programme that the military had allegedly seized over N88million and 341 cows belonging to his business colleagues.
On Saturday, November 23, it was reported how in defiance to a court order, the Nigerian Army authorities continued to hold in their custody in Abuja,15 businessmen who deal in cattle.
The military has also reportedly seized over N88million and 341 heads of cattle belonging to the cattle dealers.
It was gathered that 12 of the men were arrested at a military checkpoint in the afternoon on May 17, 2024 on their way to purchase cows in some communities in Borno State, according to their lawyer, Barr Abdulwahab Aliyu.
Their only offence, as indicated by insider sources, was being in possession of large sums of cash on a broad daylight in the highway (Federal road), specifically between Buratai and Mirngha, in the Biu Local Government Area of Borno state.
Following their arrests and subsequent detention in Maiduguri, Borno State, Yusuf, who is the chairman of their association, tried unsuccessfully to see them at the military detention facility.
He thereafter escalated news of their detention through the ‘Brekete’ Family television show. He was subsequently arrested and was also detained.
“Few weeks after, when the detention of the judgment-creditor that is, our clients was becoming prolonged, the Chairman of their Association in person of Alhaji Shagari Usman Yusuf flew into Maiduguri to see them in company of their lawyer which was unsuccessful.
“Prior to that, Alhaji Musa Mustapha Umar too had been arrested and detained for having the audacity to visit them at the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai.
“Alhaji Shagari was displeased with the actions of the military which prompted him to approach the popular Berekete Family in Abuja to ventilate their grievances. The “Ordinary President” contacted the Army spokesman and Alhaji Shagari was invited to the Army Headquarters twice.
“Ironically, a day to the Eid Adha festival, some armed military personnel armed to the teeth, stormed the Dei-Dei International Cattle Market where they arrested him, hooded him, tortured him and he later found himself in an underground cell in Abuja before he was eventually brought to Maiduguri by one Colonel Wasiu Ademola Adegoke 18 days after, and detained with the others at the Giwa barracks,” said his lawyer, Abdulwahab Aliyu.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Major General Nwachukwu Onyema, denied that the men were being illegally held.
He also noted that the Nigerian Army had appealed a High Court judgement delivered in favour of the detained suspects.
“The appeal is in process. Nigerian Army external advocate already filed the notice of appeal,” Nwachukwu said.
SaharaReporters
