Bauchi Senator Buba Denies Banditry Links, Vows to Fight Insecurity
Senator Shehu Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District and the 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party in Bauchi State, has rejected allegations linking him to suspected bandits, describing the claims as part of a politically motivated campaign against him ahead of the 2027 general elections. Buba spoke in Abuja on Monday while receiving aides, party leaders, coordinators, political associates and Muslim and Christian religious leaders who gathered to express solidarity with him. The senator, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has faced allegations of having links with suspected bandits since 2024, which he has repeatedly denied. The latest controversy followed videos circulated by a social media content creator known as “D English Alhaji,” who alleged that suspected bandit kingpins had visited Buba’s residence. A resident identified as Hassan also alleged during an interview with the content creator that Buba was among politicians allegedly aiding bandits and claimed that individuals linked to notorious bandit kingpin Dogo Gide were brought to Abuja for specialised training, allegedly facilitated by an aide to the senator.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sabo Mohammed, Buba said the allegations and media reports were aimed at achieving political objectives and vowed not to be intimidated, harassed or silenced. He said he remained committed to supporting legitimate government efforts to combat insecurity through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, stressing the importance of community participation, intelligence gathering, dialogue and peacebuilding. Buba, who said he is a doctoral student of Peace and Conflict Resolution, argued that criminality transcends religion, ethnicity, gender, race and social status, and called on Nigerians to unite behind governments at all levels in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes. He cautioned against politicising insecurity or reducing the issue to ethnic and religious sentiments, saying he had chosen to pursue the allegations through lawful and institutional channels rather than engage his critics in a media war. The senator challenged anyone with credible evidence against him to present it to the appropriate security agencies or courts, while urging his supporters and political associates to avoid unverified claims and unnecessary media exchanges. He reaffirmed that his political ambition was focused on responsible leadership, improved security, unity, economic opportunities and inclusive development across Bauchi State.
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