- Lawyers for the Cattle Dealers Association demand justice for 14 detained members, citing unlawful military detention despite a court ruling for their release
- The detained dealers were arrested during a security check while transporting cash for livestock purchases, leading to allegations of human rights violations
Lawyers representing the Cattle Dealers Association of Dei-Dei International Market in Maiduguri, Borno State, are calling for justice for 14 of their members who remain in military detention despite a court ruling ordering their release.
The legal counsels, Siraj Hamza and Ahmed Aliyu, criticized the Nigerian military for unlawfully detaining the cattle dealers and called for an end to the violations of their rights. The 14 dealers were arrested on May 17, 2024, while en route to the Tashan Alade Cattle Market to purchase livestock for the annual Eid el-Kabir festival. During a routine security check by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), N88,737,200 in cash was discovered, meant for the cattle purchase.
The CJTF allegedly demanded a bribe for the dealers’ release and, when they refused, detained them and handed them over to the military for further interrogation. The group was transferred to the Headquarters of Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai in Damaturu, where they have been held since.
On August 6, 2024, a court ordered their immediate release, but the Nigerian Army has reportedly ignored the ruling. In response, the lawyers have taken legal action against the military for contempt of court.
The legal team also called for international attention to the actions of Nigeria’s security agencies, especially the military, which they accuse of human rights violations. They urged the Attorney General of the Federation to establish monitoring systems for detention facilities to prevent further abuses.
Additionally, the case gained widespread attention when Alhaji Shagari Usman Yusuf, chairman of the association, was arrested while attempting to secure the release of the detainees. He was reportedly mistreated during his time in custody.
Two lawsuits have been filed to enforce the fundamental human rights of the detained cattle dealers and compel the military to comply with the court’s orders for their release.