Bauchi senator denies banditry allegations, presents himself for DSS probe

Senator Shehu Buba Umar of Bauchi South has volunteered to be probed by security agencies for alleged involvement in banditry, terrorism financing and kidnapping, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sabo Mohammed. The senator refuted the accusations during a press conference in Bauchi, challenging his opponents to provide credible evidence to the appropriate authorities.

Buba's legal team, headed by former NBA President Chief Yakubu Maikyau, has made him accessible to the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force and Defence Intelligence Agency for a thorough investigation. The senator maintained that he has never sponsored, financed, armed, or assisted bandits, terrorists or kidnappers, describing the allegations as a politically motivated character assassination campaign that started in 2014 and gained momentum ahead of his declared 2027 Bauchi State governorship bid.

Buba urged his accusers to submit any evidence to security agencies instead of spreading edited videos and unverified claims on social media. The senator also addressed his previous role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, stating that some of his official engagements were misrepresented as evidence of wrongdoing.