morgaNABLE News/security& justice
The claims have since sparked debate on social media and raised fresh concerns about security challenges in parts of northern Nigeria.
KaNo—
A serving senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba, is once again at the centre of controversy following fresh allegations linking him to banditry, claims he has strongly denied while calling for a full investigation.
Buba, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has faced similar accusations since 2024.
The latest claims emerged from a Bauchi resident identified as Hassan, who accused the lawmaker during an interview with a social media influencer of having ties to bandits operating in the region.
In the interview circulated online, Hassan alleged that individuals connected to a notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide, were allegedly brought to Abuja for specialised training, a process he claimed was facilitated by an aide to the senator.
The claims have since sparked debate on social media and raised fresh concerns about security challenges in parts of northern Nigeria.
Buba Dismisses Allegations
However, Buba has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, insisting that they are part of a coordinated effort to tarnish his image ahead of future political contests.
Speaking in an interview published by Albarka Radio in Bauchi on Thursday, the senator accused unnamed political opponents of sponsoring the accusations.
According to him, he had already petitioned the Inspector General of Police over the matter, leading to the arrest of four suspects who he said would soon be charged in court.
“Those sponsoring him cannot change destiny; if God says I will be, nobody can stop me using social media propaganda against me,” Buba said, referring to Hassan’s claims.
The senator further alleged that Hassan, whom he described as a key figure in spreading the accusations, had fled Nigeria and was currently in the Niger Republic.
He claimed that Hassan continued to make online broadcasts from abroad, allegedly with financial backing from political rivals.
Bauchi State Police Says It Has Not Received Any Complaint
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Police Command said it had not received any formal complaint regarding the latest allegations and therefore could not take an official position on the matter.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Nafiu H. Abib, stated that the command would only act upon receipt of a petition from concerned parties.
“We have not received any petition by anyone on the said allegation, so we don’t have a stake in the matter,” he said.
Despite the denial by the senator, the controversy has drawn reactions from his associates and public figures, some of whom have called for an independent probe to establish the truth.
Speaking in an interview, Gwarzo said he had known the senator for more than 20 years and had never seen any indication that he was involved in criminal activities.
“I have known him in quiet moments and in difficult seasons. I have watched his character under pressure. I know the values he carries, the discipline he lives by, and the quiet integrity that has guided his life,” he said.
Gwarzo argued that the allegations were inconsistent with Buba’s record, particularly his previous role overseeing national security matters in the Senate.
“The man I know is not the man being painted in these stories. If he were the kind of person who would support, protect, or benefit from banditry and terrorism, he would never have been entrusted with one of the most sensitive positions in the National Assembly,” he added.
Nevertheless, the businessman stressed that the seriousness of the allegations required careful scrutiny, urging security agencies and relevant institutions to investigate without bias.
“I am not asking anyone to close their eyes. I am not asking for silence. Let every allegation be thoroughly investigated,” he said.
The latest development is not the first time Buba has been linked to banditry-related claims.
Bauchi Govt Petitioned FG
In 2024, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed reportedly wrote to President Bola Tinubu, raising concerns about the senator’s alleged connection to individuals suspected of involvement in banditry.
In the petition dated September 19, 2024, the governor alleged that a suspected bandit from Zamfara State, Abubakar Idris, and another individual, Zainab Gado, were registered for the Hajj pilgrimage through a senior aide to the senator, Yahaya Ibrahim.
According to the governor, operatives of the Department of State Services later intervened during the 2024 Hajj exercise, requesting the passports of the individuals.
While Gado had already travelled for the pilgrimage, Idris was reportedly detained after his passport was handed over to the DSS.
Idris was said to be under investigation for alleged involvement in banditry and kidnapping activities in Zamfara State.
The governor described the situation as troubling, suggesting that it pointed to possible complicity in aiding criminal elements.
However, the outcome of the DSS investigation has not been made public.
The allegations have since prompted calls from stakeholders for greater transparency and accountability.
Former Minister Calls For Investigation
A former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has urged security agencies to provide clarity on the matter.
Dalung called on the DSS to publicly disclose the status of its investigation and recommended that the National Assembly consider an independent probe, given Buba’s former oversight role in national security.
He also urged the relevant Hajj authorities to explain the procedures followed in registering the individuals, noting that the controversy raised questions about the integrity of official processes.
They argue that beyond individual cases, there is a need for stronger institutions, transparent investigations and accountability mechanisms to address public concerns and restore trust.
As the controversy unfolds, attention is now on security agencies and lawmakers to determine whether the allegations are substantiated or part of political rivalry.
