BAUCHI SENATOR FACES RENEWED BANDITRY ALLEGATIONS AS DSS CONTINUES PROBE

Senator Shehu Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District, is facing fresh allegations linking him to suspected banditry, reviving accusations that have followed the lawmaker since 2024. The latest claims were made by a local resident identified as Hassan during an interview with social media influencer D English Alhaji Media. Hassan alleged that the senator was among politicians assisting bandits in the area and further claimed that individuals connected to notorious bandit kingpin Dogo Gide were brought to Abuja for specialised training allegedly facilitated by one of Buba’s aides.

Buba has strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as an attempt by political opponents to damage his reputation. In an interview with Albarka Radio in Bauchi, the senator alleged that Hassan was being sponsored by political figures and disclosed that he had already petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the matter. He claimed that four suspects had been arrested and would soon be prosecuted, while also alleging that Hassan, whom he described as the main suspect, had fled to Niger Republic and continued making online broadcasts against him.

The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of earlier allegations involving the senator. In 2024, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed reportedly petitioned President Bola Tinubu over claims that Buba, through an aide, Yahaya Ibrahim, facilitated the registration and funding of a suspected Zamfara bandit, Abubakar Idris, and another person, Zainab Gado, for the Hajj pilgrimage. Idris was subsequently arrested by the Department of State Services, while records from the Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board reportedly showed that both individuals had been registered through the senator’s legislative aide. Buba has continued to deny any wrongdoing.

The DSS has confirmed that the allegations against the senator are still being investigated but said the outcome would be made public at the appropriate time. The development has also generated calls for an independent and transparent investigation, with former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung urging the DSS to clarify the status of its probe. Dalung also called on the National Assembly and Hajj authorities to examine the allegations surrounding the registration and sponsorship of the suspected bandit, stressing that political influence should not prevent accountability.

Buba has previously faced another controversy after reports in 2025 alleged that he facilitated a peace arrangement with wanted terror kingpin Bello Turji. His legal team subsequently petitioned the police, accusing several individuals of defamation, cyberstalking and an organised campaign to damage the senator's reputation. With the latest accusations now under investigation, attention is expected to remain on the DSS and other relevant security authorities to determine whether the allegations have any substance or are part of a politically motivated campaign against the lawmaker.