Bauchi Senator Offers to Face Probe Over Banditry Allegations
Senator Shehu Buba Umar of Bauchi South has asked Nigeria’s security agencies to investigate allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Buba, who is the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate for the 2027 Bauchi governorship election, made the request at a press conference in Bauchi on Monday, saying he had voluntarily made himself available for questioning.
He said he had approached the Department of State Services (DSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Nigeria Police Force to independently examine the allegations, insisting that an investigation would establish that he had no involvement in criminal activities.
The senator denied sponsoring, financing, arming or facilitating bandit groups and challenged those making the allegations to take whatever evidence they have to the relevant security agencies.
The allegations gained fresh attention in recent weeks after videos and claims circulated on social media, purportedly linking the senator to suspected bandits, including associates of wanted bandit leader Dogo Gide.
Buba described the claims as politically motivated and said they were part of efforts to discredit him ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He also pointed to similar allegations made against him in 2014, saying they were investigated but not substantiated. According to him, he has also faced previous petitions and legal proceedings arising from allegations of links to criminal activities.
The controversy has prompted calls for the claims to be properly investigated. The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has urged security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the allegations, while cautioning against allowing political interests to influence matters of national security.
For Buba, the latest move is an attempt to settle the allegations through a formal investigation rather than continued exchanges over claims circulating online.
Blessing Anolaba
Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.
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