Why Senator Shehu Buba Should Be Defended, Not Attacked
By Dozie Okonkwo
In the volatile arena of Nigerian politics, truth often becomes the first casualty. Over the past weeks, a flurry of politically motivated reports have attempted to smear the name of Senator Shehu Umar Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
The allegations are as sensational as they are baseless, supposed links to terror kingpin Bello Turji, claims of demolishing a church to build a mosque, and recycled stories about sponsoring “bandits” to Hajj.
None of these accusations has ever been backed by credible evidence. Not one security agency in Nigeria has implicated Senator Buba in any such activity. And for good reason, his record speaks to the exact opposite of what his detractors allege.
As Chairman of one of the Senate’s most critical committees, Senator Buba has been a vital partner to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other heads of Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies.
This collaboration has been instrumental in advancing effective counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the country.
Under this partnership, key achievements have been made:
Senator Buba has championed legislation to give security agencies stronger legal backing to dismantle terrorist cells and prosecute offenders effectively.
Working closely with the NSA and service chiefs, he has supported initiatives to close porous borders, curb arms trafficking, and disrupt the movement of insurgents.
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Through oversight and advocacy, Senator Buba has pushed for increased funding, modern equipment, and advanced training for Nigeria’s military and intelligence services.
He has promoted grassroots intelligence gathering by fostering trust between communities and security forces, a strategy now yielding tangible results in early threat detection.
Despite malicious attempts to brand him a religious bigot, Senator Buba’s public service record is one of inclusion. He has funded interfaith projects, awarded scholarships to Christian and Muslim students alike, and maintained a diverse team of aides across religious lines. His focus has been on unity as a tool for security, knowing that a divided society is vulnerable to conflict and extremism.
Why the Attacks Are Dangerous
Attacking a lawmaker who plays such a pivotal role in national security is not just politically reckless, it is a disservice to the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats facing Nigeria. At a time when the country needs cohesion between the legislature, executive, and security agencies, such smear campaigns risk undermining trust and cooperation.
Senator Buba’s commitment remains firm: to serve Bauchi South with integrity, strengthen Nigeria’s security framework, and foster unity across the nation. Political mudslinging will not derail his work alongside the NSA, the military, and the intelligence community in making Nigeria safer.
In an era when security challenges are complex and unrelenting, Nigeria can ill afford to sideline or distract those who are genuinely committed to the fight. Senator Shehu Buba is one of them, and he deserves the backing of every Nigerian who values peace and stability.
*Dozie Okonkwo, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, wrote from Enugu.