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 since 2024 of having links with suspected bandits, accusations he has consistently denied.
The latest controversy followed the circulation of videos by a content creator known 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 aiding bandits in the area.
Hassan also alleged that individuals linked to notorious bandit kingpin, Dogo Gide, were brought to Abuja for specialised training, allegedly facilitated by an aide of 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 currently chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party, said he initially avoided responding to the allegations because of the sensitivity of his previous role overseeing national security matters.
According to him, his silence should not be interpreted as an inability to respond to the allegations.
He said, “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.
“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.
“Operational successes cannot always be publicised without jeopardising ongoing efforts, exposing sources or endangering individuals and communities involved in sensitive interventions.”
Buba said the controversy surrounding him began after an incident on September 15, 2024, when Umar Shayi allegedly led a militia group purportedly working as hunters for the Bauchi State Agency for Vigilante and Youth Empowerment.
According to him, two charcoal sellers were reportedly killed during the incident.
The senator said he visited the families of the deceased and demanded justice, adding that his intervention subsequently led to allegations linking him to banditry.
“This campaign dates back to September 15, 2024, when Umar Shayi led a militia group purported to be hunters working for the Bauchi State Agency for Vigilante and Youth Empowerment. The group reportedly killed two charcoal sellers who were conducting their lawful business.
“As the elected senator representing the district, I visited the families of the deceased to condole with them and called on the relevant authorities to ensure justice is served. I also vowed to pursue lawful action on behalf of both the deceased and the injured victims.
“I condemned the killings and urged the government to institute safeguards against abuses by those entrusted with protecting citizens,” he said.
Buba alleged that following his intervention, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Bununu, publicly linked his name to banditry.
He also recalled allegations that he sponsored a suspected bandit kingpin for the 2024 Hajj, saying he had consistently denied the claim and invited security agencies to investigate.
The lawmaker said, “Following my intervention, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Bununu, publicly linked my name to banditry — an allegation I rejected as false and unsupported by evidence.
“Subsequently, Governor Bala Mohammed petitioned President Bola Tinubu that I sponsored a ‘bandit kingpin’ to perform the 2024 Hajj through an aide named Yahaya Ibrahim.
“I categorically denied these allegations. I stated that I had no aide by the name cited and invited security agencies to investigate.”
Buba said his sponsorship of pilgrims, educational programmes, medical interventions and empowerment initiatives was based on recommendations from community and religious leaders.
The senator noted that he subsequently filed a defamation suit, marked CV/413/2024, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over the allegations.
Addressing the origin of photographs and videos now circulating online, Buba said a young man identified as Hassan Husseini had been introduced to him in 2024 as an orphan requiring educational assistance.
The Bauchi legislator explained that he enrolled the young man in a private college and an Islamic school in Kaduna and also provided him with a bicycle.
According to him, the young man later abandoned his education and requested money to establish a car dealership.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence noted that he declined the request and advised him to return to school.
“I later discovered that, while under my care, he had recorded photographs and videos of visitors to my residence. These materials later formed the basis of allegations circulated on social media,” Buba said.
He further alleged that some individuals who circulated the videos later demanded money from him.
Buba said he petitioned the Nigeria Police Force on September 9, 2025, leading to the arrest and investigation of several suspects.
According to him, five suspects were subsequently arraigned on October 30, 2025, before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
