Shehu Buba Denies Banditry, Terrorism Financing Allegations, Submits Self to Security Agencies
Senator Shehu Buba Umar has categorically denied allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing, kidnapping and other criminal activities, saying he has voluntarily submitted himself to Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies for a comprehensive investigation.
Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District, made the declaration on Monday at a press conference where he addressed what he described as persistent and politically motivated allegations against him.
The senator said the allegations, which he claimed first emerged in 2014, had been repeatedly debunked but continued to resurface in different forms despite legal actions and petitions to security authorities.
He said the gravity of the allegations compelled him to break his month-long silence, stressing that they went beyond his personal reputation to issues of national security and public confidence in security institutions.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I categorically and unequivocally deny these allegations. I have never sponsored, financed, armed, facilitated, or supported banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, or any criminal organisation or activities whatsoever,” he said.
Buba disclosed that, through his legal team led by former Nigerian Bar Association President and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, he had written to the Department of State Services (DSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the Nigeria Police Force, requesting thorough investigations into the allegations.
According to him, the decision was intended to ensure that allegations of such magnitude against a serving senator were subjected to formal investigation rather than allowed to remain at the level of social media speculation.
He challenged individuals, politicians, activists, journalists and social media influencers who claimed to possess evidence against him to submit such evidence to the appropriate security agencies.
“Do not hide behind social media. Do not rely on edited videos, insinuations, propaganda, or anonymous allegations. Take whatever evidence you have to the appropriate security agencies and allow the law to take its course,” he said.
The senator also urged the security agencies to invite those making the allegations and compel them to substantiate their claims with credible and verifiable evidence.
Read Also:
Buba said he was prepared to cooperate with the DSS, Police, DIA, the military and other competent institutions in any investigation, adding that he had also made himself available to relevant international organisations, including Amnesty International.
He maintained that he was not seeking preferential treatment and was willing to face prosecution if investigators established a prima facie case against him.
“I seek no special treatment. My position is simple: let every allegation be subjected to impartial scrutiny, let every piece of evidence be examined, and let the truth prevail,” he said.
The senator further stated that if a competent court eventually found him guilty on the basis of credible evidence, he would accept the consequences prescribed by law.
Buba attributed some of the allegations to what he described as the distortion of legitimate security engagements he undertook while serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
He said his responsibilities in that capacity involved close interactions with military, intelligence and other security agencies on issues including terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
“Some of those engagements were necessarily sensitive,” he said, arguing that activities undertaken in the course of legitimate national security responsibilities were now being “distorted and weaponized” to suggest relationships with criminal elements.
The senator also gave an account of his previous legal actions against individuals he accused of spreading false allegations against him.
He said he petitioned the Nigeria Police Force in September 2025 over one such publication, adding that the petition resulted in criminal proceedings currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Buba further alleged that one Hassan Sani Hussain, whom his legal team believes is behind several of the allegations, was operating from the Niger Republic.
He said the matter had been reported for INTERPOL intervention, while lawyers had also been engaged in Niger Republic to pursue appropriate legal measures.
The senator said his decision to submit himself voluntarily to the security agencies was ultimately intended to allow professionals to examine the allegations, interrogate him where necessary, scrutinise relevant records and establish the facts.
“I will not ask Nigerians simply to take my word for it. That is precisely why I have submitted myself to the relevant security agencies. Let the professionals investigate, let them examine the records, let them interrogate me where necessary, let those making allegations come forward, and let them present their evidence,” he said.
