Fresh controversy has erupted around Senator Shehu Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, following renewed allegations linking him to suspected bandits and associates of notorious criminal kingpin Dogo Gide.
The development has reportedly drawn fresh attention from security authorities and revived an earlier controversy involving individuals suspected of having links to banditry.
However, the senator has strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated attempts by his opponents to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The latest accusations were made by a resident identified as Hassan during an interview with social media influencer D English Alhaji Media.
Hassan alleged that some politicians had provided support to criminal elements operating in northern Nigeria. He subsequently identified Senator Buba as the politician he had earlier referred to without mentioning a name.
He further alleged that individuals connected to Dogo Gide were taken to Abuja for specialised training with the assistance of an aide allegedly linked to the senator at the National Assembly.
The allegations have attracted particular attention because Buba previously served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, one of the most sensitive committees in the National Assembly.
Senator Buba Breaks Silence
Responding to the allegations in an interview with Albarka Radio in Bauchi, Buba denied having any involvement with banditry.
The senator also provided an account of his previous relationship with Hassan, saying the man was once someone he assisted through his educational foundation.
According to Buba, Hassan was introduced to him as an orphan who needed financial and educational support. He said he helped facilitate educational opportunities for him and provided other assistance.
Buba said Hassan was subsequently connected to Islamic scholar Musa Yusuf Asadussunnah, who helped identify a school where he could receive both Islamic and conventional education.
The senator said he became concerned when Hassan later abandoned his studies.
“After a short time, he told us that he was leaving school for the car dealership business, which I rejected, insisting that he must finish school before anything else,” Buba said.
Buba further alleged that Hassan later gained access to his residence and secretly recorded photographs and videos of people who visited him.
According to the senator, those materials were later used by political opponents as part of a campaign to damage his reputation.
He said the matter was reported to the Inspector-General of Police and that four suspects had been arrested.
Buba claimed that two suspects were arrested in Kano, while the other two were apprehended in Bauchi and Abuja, adding that court proceedings had commenced.
He also alleged that Hassan, whom he described as the principal suspect, fled to Niger Republic but continued making broadcasts on social media.
The senator accused unnamed political opponents of sponsoring the broadcasts.
“Those sponsoring him cannot change destiny; if God says I will be, nobody can stop me using social media propaganda against me,” he said.
Police Say They Have No Formal Petition
Amid the growing controversy, the Bauchi State Police Command said it had not received any formal complaint concerning the latest allegations against the senator.
The command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Habib, said the police could not comment substantively on an allegation that had not been formally presented to the command.
“We have not received any petition by anyone on the said allegation, so we don’t have a stake in the matter,” Habib said.
Ally Calls For Full Investigation
The controversy has also prompted calls for security agencies to investigate the allegations and establish the facts.
Mukhtar Gwarzo, a businessman and political associate of Senator Buba, urged the relevant authorities to thoroughly examine the claims.
Gwarzo, Managing Director of Nixon Energy and Nixon Telecoms, said the allegations were too serious to be dismissed without proper investigation, particularly because of their potential implications for national security.
He called for the truth to be established “clearly and without fear or favour.”
While defending his long-standing relationship with Buba, Gwarzo also said he was not asking authorities to shield the senator from scrutiny.
“I am not asking anyone to close their eyes. I am not asking for silence. Let every allegation be thoroughly investigated,” he said.
“Let the DSS speak clearly. Let the National Assembly examine the matter with the seriousness it deserves. Let the Hajj authorities explain the processes that were followed.”
The 2024 Hajj Controversy Returns
The latest allegations have also brought renewed attention to an earlier controversy involving Senator Buba.
In 2024, questions arose over the registration of two individuals, Abubakar Idris and Zainab Gado, for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed had written to President Bola Tinubu on September 19, 2024, raising concerns about the registration and funding of the two intending pilgrims.
The governor’s petition alleged that Idris was suspected of involvement in banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State.
The controversy centred on claims that both individuals were registered through Yahaya Ibrahim, identified as a senior legislative aide to Senator Buba.
During preparations for the pilgrimage, DSS operatives reportedly visited the Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board and requested the e-passports of the two individuals.
While Gado’s passport had already been released and she had travelled for the pilgrimage, Idris’ passport was handed over to the DSS.
Idris was subsequently detained by the security agency over alleged links to criminal activities.
Governor Mohammed had described the circumstances as “deeply worrisome,” alleging that they could suggest the senator’s involvement in supporting or enabling banditry.
Buba and his associates have consistently rejected the allegations, insisting that the accusations were politically motivated.
Although the DSS was previously reported to have examined aspects of the matter, the agency has not publicly released a detailed conclusion establishing criminal liability against Senator Buba.
When asked about the status of the investigation, a DSS spokesperson said the findings “would be published at the appropriate time.”
For now, the latest accusations remain allegations, with Senator Buba denying any connection to banditry and calls growing for the relevant security agencies to establish the facts.
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