Senator Shehu Buba Submits Himself to DSS and Police Over Terrorism Allegations

(Senator Shehu Buba. Photo by Sahara Reports)

Senator Shehu Buba Umar representing Bauchi South has voluntarily submitted himself to the Department of State Services, Nigerian Police and Defence Intelligence Agency for investigation over allegations linking him to b@nditry, t3rrorism financing, kidn@pping and other violent crimes.

The senator said at a press conference on Monday that he was ready for security agencies to scrutinise him and establish the truth.

He described the allegations as politically motivated and defamatory, saying he decided to make himself available for investigation rather than let claims continue circulating without testing them against credible evidence.

His legal team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, formally wrote to the DSS, Defence Intelligence Agency and Police requesting comprehensive investigations into the allegations.

Umar said he categorically denied the claims, saying he had never sponsored, financed, armed, helped or supported b@nditry, t3rrorism, kidn@pping or any criminal organisation or activities.

He remained silent for a month because of the sensitivity of his official responsibilities and legal restrictions on matters before the courts.

However, he said the allegations had reached a point where continued silence was no longer appropriate because of their potential impact on his reputation, political career, national security and public confidence in security institutions.

The senator challenged anyone with evidence linking him to criminal activities to submit it to appropriate security agencies rather than spread allegations on social media.

He urged politicians, activists, social media influencers, journalists and other Nigerians claiming to have evidence to take it to investigators and allow the law to take its course.

Umar said he was prepared to cooperate fully with all relevant institutions and had made himself available to international organisations including Amnesty International.

He said he was not seeking preferential treatment and would accept prosecution if investigators established a prima facie case against him based on credible and verifiable evidence.

The senator linked the allegations to his previous role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, which required him to regularly engage with military, intelligence and other security agencies on b@nditry, t3rrorism, kidn@pping and national security threats.

He expressed concern that some of these legitimate but sensitive engagements could have been distorted and portrayed as evidence of relationships with criminal elements.