…Buba denies allegations
A concerned non-governmental group, Nigeria Democratic Front (NDF), has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged linkage of a popular Nigerian senator, Senator Shehu Buba, with a notorious bandit.
Senator Buba, who represents the Bauchi South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, is accused of having some affiliations and linkage with Abubakar Idris, a notorious bandit who has been linked to many cases of banditry and kidnappings in Zamfara state and other parts of the country.
However, in a statement by his Legislative Assistant, Hassan Guruji, on Friday in Abuja, Buba confirmed that the suspected bandit and Mrs Aliyu were among those he registered for the pilgrimage, but that they were nominated by elders, community and religious leaders in Bauchi State.
He declared that he had no link with the suspected bandit but only registered him for the pilgrimage because he was nominated by leaders in the state.
While Idris has been arrested and is currently in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS), members of the Nigeria Democratic Front call for a comprehensive investigation into Senator Buba’s alleged relationship with criminal elements, further decrying the alarming rate of insecurity in the country and its far-reaching consequences on different sectors of the nation’s economy and livelihood.
According to the group, in an open letter addressed to the Senate President, these allegations of the Senator’s alleged affiliation with a bandit are not shocking and deeply troubling, but also cast a long and dark shadow over the integrity of the National Assembly.
The group, in the letter, signed by its National Spokesperson, Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, expressed even a deeper concern and worry that the Senator in question, is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, a role that places him at the heart of the nation’s security apparatus. They further called for the immediate suspension of Senator Buba from his position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The NDF, while urging the Senate President to take swift action, also insisted that allowing Senator Buba to continue in such a sensitive role while under investigation could undermine the Senate’s integrity and Nigeria’s overall security efforts; even as they also emphasized the need for urgency, transparency and accountability in handling the case.
Titled “Call for Investigation into Allegations of Senator Shehu Buba’s Affiliation with Wanted Bandits Shehu Buba”, and dated October 7, the letter read: “The spiraling insecurity in Nigeria has reached an alarming level, leaving the nation teetering on the brink of collapse. The incessant violence, kidnappings, and attacks across the country have become unbearable.
“The devastating consequences of these criminal activities have wreaked havoc on Nigeria’s economy, halting agricultural productivity and displacing countless farming communities, particularly in the North Central and North-East regions. In fact, the very survival of ordinary Nigerians is now at stake, and urgent intervention is required. And Nigerians cannot continue to keep quiet over these.
“Mr. Senate President, given the enormity of these challenges, we, the Nigeria Democratic Front (NDF), are compelled to call on your good office to act swiftly in the face of growing allegations of complicity by key political figures. These accusations, if proven, will reveal a deep-rooted connivance that is fueling the insecurity crisis in our country. The Nigerian people are no longer willing to remain silent in the face of such betrayal.
“In the light of the above, Mr. President, we make bold to say that the recent revelations concerning Senator Shehu Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, are deeply troubling. The current allegations linking him to the notorious bandit, Abubakar Idris, who has been declared wanted by security agencies, cast a long and dark shadow over the integrity of the National Assembly. This issue becomes even more alarming considering the fact that Senator Buba is holding a very sensitive position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, a role that places him at the heart of our nation’s security apparatus.
“It is shocking to learn that the Department of State Services (DSS) is actively investigating Senator Buba following credible reports of his involvement with Abubakar Idris, who is linked to banditry and kidnappings in Zamfara State.
“According to published reports, the Senator, through one of his senior legislative aides, Yahaya Ibrahim, facilitated Idris’s registration as a pilgrim for the 2024 Hajj. This act raised suspicions and led the DSS to intervene, eventually apprehending Idris and seizing his passport while he was preparing for the pilgrimage through the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board. Idris is now in the custody of the DSS.
“This disturbing connection between a sitting senator and a wanted bandit cannot be overlooked or swept under the rug, Mr. President. The Nigerian people demand investigation and accountability. The implications of this situation go beyond mere allegations; they strike at the very core of the trust that citizens place in their elected representatives. A comprehensive investigation into Senator Shehu Buba’s alleged relationship with criminal elements is essential to uphold the integrity of the National Assembly and prevent further erosion of public confidence in our democratic institutions.
“We cannot afford to ignore the seriousness of these accusations. Allowing Senator Buba to continue to head the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence while under investigation threatens to undermine any efforts to address Nigeria’s security crisis. The potential for further compromise within such a critical position is too great a risk for the nation to bear.
“We, therefore, demand that Senator Shehu Buba be immediately relieved of his duties as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence until a thorough and transparent investigation is concluded. His continued presence in such a sensitive role sends a dangerous signal to both criminals and law-abiding citizens alike — that those entrusted with safeguarding the nation may, in fact, be the very ones aiding and abetting its destruction.
“The gravity of these allegations cannot be overstated, Mr. President. It is no longer a secret that elements within the political establishment may be complicit in shielding criminal networks. If this is proven true, it will confirm the worst fears of Nigerians — that the very leaders tasked with protecting the nation are, in fact, profiting from its disarray. Such political sponsorship of crime is not only a betrayal of public trust but a direct threat to the survival of Nigeria as a nation.
“The Nigerian people are watching closely, and we call on your administration to ensure that the DSS and other relevant law enforcement agencies conduct this investigation with the seriousness and integrity that the situation demands. This must not be another case of sweeping scandal under the rug to protect political elites. The Nigerian people deserve to know the full truth, and anyone found guilty, regardless of their political stature, must face the full weight of the law.
“The consequences of inaction at this moment will be dire. Banditry, terrorism, and the lawlessness plaguing the Northern regions of Nigeria have already crippled the country’s economy and undermined social cohesion. These issues will only worsen if it is revealed that political leaders are in collusion with the very criminals they claim to be fighting. We must break this vicious cycle of corruption and violence.