CSOs Demand Investigation of Senator Shehu Buba Over Alleged Banditry Links

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

A coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Good Governance has called for an independent investigation into allegations linking Senator Shehu Umar Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, with individuals allegedly connected to banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

The coalition made the demand on Wednesday in a press conference addressed by its spokesperson, Comr. Adedeji M. Abdulsalam.

Abdulsalam said the group was not pronouncing the senator guilty of any offence but wanted competent security agencies to investigate the allegations and establish the facts.

He said the allegations, which had surfaced at different times, were too serious to be settled through political statements or social media exchanges, stressing that they required investigation based on evidence and due process.

One of the issues raised by the coalition concerned the reported sponsorship of two individuals, identified as Abubakar Idris and Zainab Aliyu Gado, for the 2024 Hajj through a person identified as Yahaya Ibrahim, who the group said was reportedly associated with Senator Buba.

According to the coalition, Idris was later detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged links to banditry and kidnapping.

The group said Senator Buba had denied knowingly sponsoring anyone involved in criminal activities, but argued that the circumstances surrounding the sponsorship should be independently established.

“Who nominated and sponsored the beneficiaries? What security screening was conducted? What information did authorities have about them at the time, and why did one beneficiary subsequently come under security investigation?” Abdulsalam asked.

The coalition also referred to a September 2026 online interview by Hassan Husseini in which allegations were made that individuals identified as Baba Ngida and Adam, reportedly linked to bandit leader Dogo Gide, were brought to Abuja for specialised training in drone operations and professional sniping.

It called for the identities and movements of the individuals, the alleged training arrangements, facilitators and sources of funding to be investigated.

The group further urged investigators to examine relevant communication and financial records to determine whether any aide or associate of Senator Buba was involved.

On photographs and videos said to show suspected bandit leaders visiting or being received at Senator Buba’s residence, the coalition said it would not authenticate the materials.

It, however, urged investigators to determine whether the materials were genuine, identify those depicted and establish when and where the alleged meetings took place.

It also called for clarification on the purpose of such meetings and whether any of the persons involved were known to security agencies or were participating in any authorised peace or non-kinetic initiative.

The coalition further cited previous allegations that Senator Buba allegedly provided substantial funds to a Kaduna-based cleric identified in reports as Musa Sunna for onward distribution to bandits.

It also referred to claims that motorcycles meant for constituents were diverted to persons allegedly associated with banditry.

Abdulsalam stressed that the allegations remained unverified, but said investigators should examine financial records, procurement documents, motorcycle distribution records, beneficiary lists and communications to establish what actually happened.

The coalition also addressed reports of contacts between Senator Buba and individuals involved in efforts to negotiate peace with Bello Turji, an armed group leader.

It acknowledged that contact with armed groups in the course of peace negotiations did not, by itself, amount to sponsorship of criminal activities.

However, it said the circumstances surrounding such engagements should be clarified, including who authorised them, who participated, whether security agencies were informed and whether any unlawful material assistance was provided.

The coalition said its concern was based on the need to guard against two possibilities: the shielding of genuine criminal activity through political influence and the use of unverified allegations to damage an individual’s reputation.

“Both concerns demand the same response, an impartial, evidence-based investigation that establishes the facts and allows the law to take its course,” Abdulsalam said.

The group called on relevant security agencies to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into all the allegations, including the 2024 Hajj matter, alleged links to individuals associated with Dogo Gide, claims of specialised training, alleged financial or material assistance and reported contacts with persons linked to banditry.

It also called on Senator Buba to be afforded due process and to cooperate with any legitimate investigation.

The coalition said that where credible evidence establishes an offence, the law should take its course, while anyone found to have deliberately fabricated serious allegations should equally face the law.

It appealed to Nigerians not to allow the matter to degenerate into ethnic, religious or political division.

“The issue should not be about political affiliation, but about what the evidence establishes,” Abdulsalam said.

The coalition said it would neither convict nor exonerate Senator Buba through a press conference, insisting that the allegations should be investigated and the facts established.

“Let the evidence speak. Let the truth be established. Let the law take its course,” the spokesperson said.