The senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba, has denied fresh allegations linking him to banditry, describing viral videos and claims circulating on social media as part of a sustained campaign of disinformation and character assassination.
Buba, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has faced allegations of alleged links to suspected bandits since 2024. He has consistently denied the claims.
The latest controversy followed videos circulated by a content creator identified as ‘D English Alhaji’, who alleged that suspected bandit kingpins had visited the senator’s residence.
The allegations were further amplified after a resident identified as Hassan accused Buba, during an interview with the social media influencer, of being among politicians allegedly supporting bandit activities in the area.
Hassan also alleged that individuals linked to notorious bandit kingpin Dogo Gide were brought to Abuja for specialised training, purportedly facilitated by an aide to the senator.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday titled, “Setting the Record Straight: My Response to Fabricated Videos, False Allegations and a Sustained Campaign of Disinformation”, Buba dismissed the allegations as false.
The senator, who is now chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), said he had initially refrained from responding because of the sensitivity of his former national security role.
He stressed that his silence should not be interpreted as an inability to respond to the allegations.
“For much of my public life, I have resisted the temptation to respond to every allegation, criticism or provocation directed at me. Citizens have a legitimate right to scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibility, and public officials must be prepared to account for their conduct,” Buba said.
He explained that his former position as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence required discretion, particularly where public disclosure could compromise security operations.
“My election as senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District — and particularly my responsibility as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence — reinforced the need for restraint. National security demands discretion,” he said.
According to him, publicly disclosing details of sensitive interventions could jeopardise ongoing operations, expose intelligence sources or endanger affected individuals and communities.
“Operational successes cannot always be publicised without jeopardising ongoing efforts, exposing sources or endangering individuals and communities involved in sensitive interventions,” he added.
Buba traced the controversy surrounding him to an incident on 15 September 2024, involving Umar Shayi, who allegedly led a militia group reportedly operating as hunters for the Bauchi State Agency for Vigilante and Youth Empowerment.
He said two charcoal sellers were reportedly killed during the incident.
The senator said he subsequently visited the families of the deceased and demanded justice over the incident.
According to him, his intervention in the matter was later used as a basis for allegations linking him to banditry.
Buba maintained that the latest claims were part of an attempt to damage his reputation and urged the public to scrutinise the allegations rather than accept unverified social media content as fact.
