Bauchi senator denies banditry allegations, presents himself for DSS probe

Bauchi State Senator Shehu Buba Umar has voluntarily handed himself over to security agencies for investigation following allegations of involvement in banditry, terrorism financing and kidnapping. During a press conference in Bauchi, Umar vehemently denied the accusations and challenged his accusers to provide credible evidence to the appropriate authorities.

According to his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sabo Mohammed, Umar's legal team, represented by former NBA President Chief Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, has made him accessible to the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for a comprehensive probe. Umar maintains that he has never sponsored, financed, armed, or facilitated bandits, terrorists, or kidnappers, describing the allegations as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine his political career.

Umar urged his accusers to submit any evidence to security agencies instead of circulating unverified claims and edited videos on social media. He also addressed his past role as Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence Chairman, contesting that his official engagements have been misrepresented as evidence of wrongdoing.

Umar's legal team has initiated defamation proceedings in the Federal High Court in Abuja and submitted a petition to INTERPOL concerning one of his accusers, believed to operate from Niger Republic.

Despite facing allegations since 2024, Umar has consistently denied the charges and appealed to his supporters to maintain calm, avoid violence or online harassment against his opponents. He expressed his willingness for a "transparent, thorough and impartial" investigation.