North East Groups Defend Senator Shehu Buba, Say Banditry Allegations are Cheap Blackmail

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

A coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of the Northeast Concerned Citizens Association, in collaboration with Shehu Buba Ambassadors, the Association of Tailors and Artisans, and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Bauchi State, has dismissed allegations linking Senator Shehu Buba Umar to banditry as “malicious, politically-inspired, and baseless.”

Speaking at a press conference on Friday at the NUJ Press Centre, Bauchi, the coordinator of the group, Comrade Mubarak Inuwa Gorama, said the allegations were nothing but cheap political blackmail aimed at discrediting the integrity of the Senator.

He stressed that Senator Buba, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has been at the forefront of the fight against insecurity, championing a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to address insurgency, banditry, and other criminal activities in the country.

“Distinguished Senator Shehu Buba Umar has consistently demonstrated leadership in the fight against insecurity. He has argued for a blend of dialogue, reconciliation, socio-economic renewal, and military action. His vision has already begun to shape national security policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Gorama said.

The group also okaycommended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for working closely with Senator Buba in translating non-kinetic advocacy into actionable policies, which civil society groups have credited with reducing violent incidents in affected communities.

Recalling Senator Buba’s visit to Garin Mansur in Alkaleri Local Government, where he personally condoled families of victims of bandit attacks, Gorama said the Senator’s message was clear: insecurity must never be politicized and can only be defeated through collective effort.

The groups further highlighted Senator Buba’s contributions to community development, including road projects, support for farmers, provision of food palliatives, and youth empowerment schemes, which they argued help address the root causes of insecurity.

They alleged that the smear campaign was motivated by fear of the Senator’s rising popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We call on citizens to disregard these lies and continue to support genuine efforts aimed at restoring peace and development. Senator Shehu Buba Umar remains one of the strongest voices for stability and peace in Nigeria,” Gorama concluded.