Bauchi senator denies banditry allegations, presents himself for DSS probe

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The senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, has voluntarily submitted himself to security agencies for investigation over allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing and kidnapping.

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The senator disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists, political leaders and constituents in Bauchi, where he denied the allegations and challenged his accusers to present credible evidence to the appropriate authorities.

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According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sabo Mohammed, Buba’s legal team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association President, Chief Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, has made him available to the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and the Defence Intelligence Agency for investigation.

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He said he had never sponsored, financed, armed or facilitated bandits, terrorists or kidnappers, describing the allegations as a politically motivated campaign of character assassination dating back to 2014, which he claimed had intensified ahead of his declared 2027 Bauchi State governorship bid on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party.

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Mohammed said, “According to the senator, he has, through his legal team led by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, made himself available to the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.

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“He maintained that he has never sponsored, financed, armed, facilitated or supported bandits, terrorists, kidnappers or any criminal organisation, describing the allegations as politically motivated attempts to damage his reputation and undermine his political career.”

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Buba urged his accusers to submit any evidence to security agencies rather than circulate what he called edited videos and unverified claims on social media.

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He also addressed his former role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, saying some of his official engagements had been misrepresented as evidence of wrongdoing.

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The senator said his legal team had commenced defamation proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja, and that a petition had been submitted to INTERPOL concerning one of his accusers, said to be operating from Niger Republic.

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He appealed to his supporters to remain calm and avoid violence, retaliation or online harassment against his opponents, and said he welcomed a “transparent, thorough and impartial” investigation.

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Buba has faced allegations linking him to suspected bandits since 2024, which he has consistently denied.

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Saturday PUNCH reported on September 5 that the DSS said its investigation into the allegations would be made public at the appropriate time.

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The senator subsequently challenged his accusers to provide credible evidence to the security agencies or courts.

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