The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into renewed allegations linking Senator Shehu Buba Umar to banditry and terrorism.
The Council, in a statement on Monday, said the seriousness of the allegations required a credible investigation rather than political speculation, warning against the politicisation of national security matters.
The development follows a call by former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, for the DSS to make public the outcome of its investigation into allegations concerning the senator.
The SCSN said it had followed the allegations with “deep concern,” stressing that security issues must be handled with caution because of their potential implications for national security and public confidence.
According to the Council, unsubstantiated claims and campaigns of calumny could distract from the collective efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crime across Nigeria.
The SCSN also reiterated its longstanding condemnation of terrorism, kidnapping, murder and the destruction of communities, stating that such acts cannot be justified by religion, ethnicity or politics.
The Council disclosed that it had intensified consultations with security and government institutions, including the ONSA, DSS and Chief of Defence Staff, from late 2023 as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
It explained that its engagement with Senator Shehu Buba Umar occurred when he served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, particularly in discussions around non-kinetic approaches to complement military operations.
The Council maintained that the renewed allegations should therefore be subjected to proper investigation, with facts established by competent security authorities rather than through political claims or public speculation.
