The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate in Bauchi State and Senator representing Bauchi South, Shehu Buba Umar, has asked Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies to thoroughly investigate allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Rather than dismissing the allegations as mere political attacks, the senator said he had voluntarily made himself available to the Department of State Services (DSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Nigeria Police Force to establish the truth.
Speaking at a press conference in Bauchi on Monday, Shehu Buba said he had nothing to fear from a legitimate investigation and challenged anyone with credible evidence against him to present it to the appropriate authorities.
The senator described the allegations as a recurring campaign against his reputation, noting that similar accusations were made in 2014 and were subsequently investigated and dismissed.
According to him, the renewed allegations had become too serious to be left to social media speculation, prompting his legal team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, to formally approach the security agencies.
He urged those making the allegations to stop relying on anonymous claims, edited videos and social media publications, insisting that any evidence should be subjected to proper legal scrutiny.
Shehu Buba also disclosed that he had previously taken legal action over what he described as defamatory allegations. He referenced a September 2025 petition to the police and another petition dated September 7, 2026, seeking Interpol’s intervention over an individual his lawyers believe is connected to the campaign against him.
Copies of his recent submissions, he said, were also forwarded to senior national security officials, including the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence.
The senator, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, said some of his interactions with security and intelligence institutions over the years may have been deliberately misrepresented to create the impression of links with criminal groups.
He maintained that he was ready to face prosecution if investigators found credible evidence establishing a prima facie case against him.
Shehu Buba is seeking the Bauchi governorship ticket of the PRP ahead of the 2027 election. He suggested that the allegations could also be politically motivated attempts to damage his image ahead of the contest.
The senator appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful and avoid threats, insults or attacks against anyone connected to the allegations.
He said the investigation would provide an opportunity for the truth to emerge and for anyone who deliberately fabricated or circulated false claims to be held accountable under the law.
