Bauchi South Senator Shehu Buba has declared his readiness to submit himself to any legitimate investigation into allegations linking him to individuals described as bandit kingpins, insisting that scrutiny of public officials must be based on verifiable facts rather than unsubstantiated claims.
The lawmaker, who is also the governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Bauchi State, made the declaration in a statement he personally signed on Sunday while responding to renewed calls for security agencies to investigate alleged links between him and a suspected bandit, Abubakar Idris.
The controversy follows the circulation of videos on social media which some individuals have presented as showing alleged bandit figures visiting the senator’s residence.
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, had previously called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to make public the outcome of its investigation into the allegations involving Buba, arguing that claims of this nature raise serious questions about national security and the integrity of the country’s security architecture.
Buba, however, rejected the allegations, describing the materials being circulated against him as false, malicious and part of what he characterised as a politically motivated campaign.
The senator said his political opponents were allegedly using videos involving purported bandit kingpins to damage his reputation and political standing ahead of the 2027 elections.
He maintained that he had never sponsored banditry or hosted bandit leaders in his residence, adding that he was prepared to answer questions about his conduct and public service.
‘I Welcome Legitimate Scrutiny’
Buba said he did not consider himself above scrutiny, particularly given his positions in public office and his current political ambition.
According to him, Nigerians have the right to examine the conduct of elected officials, while public officials have a responsibility to account for their actions.
He noted that he previously served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence and currently chairs the Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry.
“I welcome scrutiny, but scrutiny must be fair. I do not claim immunity from scrutiny.”
Buba argued that there must be a clear distinction between a genuine investigation and what he described as fabrication, just as political criticism should not be confused with deliberate character assassination.
He also warned against the increasing use of manipulated or misleading digital content to influence public opinion.
According to the senator, old allegations can be repeatedly circulated, edited and accompanied by new captions until their repetition creates the false impression that they have been established as facts.
Senator Says Videos Are Before the Courts
Buba disclosed that he had taken the videos in circulation before courts in Nigeria and the Court of First Instance in the Niger Republic.
He described the contents of the materials as false and malicious and challenged anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing to submit such evidence to the appropriate authorities.
The lawmaker also appealed to journalists, editors, fact-checkers, civil society organisations and opinion leaders to independently examine the allegations.
He urged those investigating the matter to verify the origins of the videos, establish the identities of the individuals featured in them, examine relevant court records and consult appropriate security institutions.
Buba said his own explanations should equally be subjected to scrutiny.
He maintained that he would continue to defend his reputation through lawful channels rather than respond to what he described as political provocation.
Why Buba Initially Remained Silent
The senator explained that his earlier decision not to respond publicly was largely influenced by the sensitive nature of his former responsibilities in national security.
He said his position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence required discretion because public disclosure of sensitive security information could compromise operations, expose sources or place individuals and communities at risk.
According to him, it was for this reason that he initially refrained from responding to videos allegedly showing “high-profile bandit kingpins” visiting his residence.
However, he said the continued circulation of the materials and the increasingly serious allegations surrounding them had made it necessary for him to publicly present his position.
Buba Calls for Broader Approach to Insecurity
Beyond defending himself against the allegations, Buba used the statement to reiterate his position that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be resolved through military operations alone.
He advocated complementary non-kinetic approaches, including community engagement, intelligence gathering, dialogue, deradicalisation and confidence-building between communities and security institutions.
The senator argued that sustainable security requires authorities to build trust with vulnerable communities and strengthen mechanisms through which residents can provide credible intelligence to security agencies.
He stressed that cooperation between communities and legitimate authorities remains essential to addressing insecurity and preventing the spread of violent groups.
2027 Politics and the Allegations
Buba also linked the controversy to the political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contest the Bauchi governorship election on the PRP platform should be judged on the basis of policies, competence, leadership capacity and vision rather than what he described as fabricated allegations.
He urged his supporters to remain calm and disciplined and avoid being provoked by the controversy.
The senator said political disagreements should be resolved through democratic processes and urged his supporters to remain focused on the 2027 election.
As the allegations continue to generate public discussion, Buba’s position is that any claims against him should be subjected to transparent verification and lawful investigation.
He maintained that he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear from a legitimate investigation, insisting that verifiable evidence, rather than propaganda or manipulated materials, should determine the facts of the matter.
For now, the controversy remains a matter of competing claims, with Buba firmly denying wrongdoing and calling on relevant authorities and the public to establish the facts through proper investigative and legal processes.