DSS reacts as popular senator faces banditry allegations
Senator Shehu Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District, is facing fresh allegations of links to banditry, with the latest claims adding to previous accusations that have followed him since 2024.
The latest allegation was made by a resident identified as Hassan during an interview shared online by social media influencer D English Alhaji Media.
Hassan accused the senator of supporting politicians and individuals linked to bandit groups operating in the region.
He also alleged that associates of wanted bandit leader Dogo Gide were brought to Abuja for specialised training through the assistance of one of the senator’s aides.
Buba has rejected the allegations and accused Hassan of working with political opponents who want to damage his reputation.
The senator said he had already petitioned the Inspector General of Police over the matter and claimed that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the allegations.
He also alleged that Hassan had left Nigeria for Niger Republic and continued making online broadcasts against him.
However, there was no independent confirmation from the police of the reported arrests or the other claims made by the senator.
The Bauchi State Police Command also said it had not received any formal petition concerning the latest allegations and therefore could not take a position on the matter.
The fresh controversy comes after earlier allegations involving Buba and suspected bandits.
In September 2024, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed reportedly petitioned President Bola Tinubu over the registration of two people, Abubakar Idris and Zainab Gado, for the Hajj pilgrimage.
The governor’s petition alleged that the two were registered through Yahaya Ibrahim, a senior legislative aide to Buba.
Idris was later arrested by the Department of State Services after he was identified as a suspected participant in banditry and kidnapping activities in Zamfara State.
Gado had already travelled for the pilgrimage before the authorities requested her passport, while Idris’ passport was handed over to the DSS before his detention.
The development led to an investigation involving the senator.
The DSS later said that the outcome of its investigation would be made public at the appropriate time.
The latest allegations have renewed calls for the matter to be properly investigated. Mukhtar Gwarzo, a businessman and ally of the senator, defended Buba but also called for relevant agencies to examine all the claims.
Gwarzo said allegations involving banditry and national security should not be ignored and that anyone found to have committed an offence should face the law.
He also called on the DSS, National Assembly and Hajj authorities to provide clear information on the different issues surrounding the senator.
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, also called for an independent investigation into the allegations.
He urged the DSS to make its position on the earlier investigation known and asked the National Assembly to consider examining the matter because of Buba’s previous role in the Senate.
Dalung also called for clarification on how Idris was registered and sponsored for the Hajj pilgrimage.
He said Buba should be cleared publicly if the allegations were found to be false, or face legal consequences if investigators establish wrongdoing.
The senator had also faced another controversy in 2025 after reports linked him to an alleged peace arrangement involving wanted terror kingpin Bello Turji.
Following those reports, Buba’s legal team submitted a petition to the Force Criminal Investigation Department accusing several people, including Hassan and others, of defamation, cyberstalking, bullying and conspiracy against the lawmaker.
The legal team alleged that the accusations were part of a campaign backed by political opponents seeking to damage Buba’s reputation and political standing in Bauchi South.
Among the claims raised against the senator in that earlier dispute were allegations that he provided money to a Kaduna cleric for suspected bandits and distributed motorcycles to bandits instead of constituents.
Buba denied the allegations and sought police action against those he accused of spreading the claims.
