The controversy over sponsorship of terrorism by Senator Shehu Umar Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District at the National Assembly is grave and very disturbing. A Fulani boy named Hassan provided videos and photographic evidences/allegations against Senator Buba in an interview published in parts on the Facebook page of a social media influencer called D English Alhaji. Hassan alleged that individuals connected to the notorious bandit leader Dogo Gide were brought to Abuja for specialised training in drone operations, professional sniping and that one of those allegedly involved had served as an aide to Senator Buba. Hassan’s allegations against Senator Buba came after Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed in September 2024, reportedly petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over claims involving Senator Buba and persons linked to the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. According to reports on the petition, Governor Mohammed alleged that a suspected bandit, Abubakar Idris, and Zainab Aliyu Gado were registered for pilgrimage through Yahaya Ibrahim, who was said to be a senior legislative aide to Senator Buba. Idris was reportedly arrested for investigation as the matter became contentious but it ended at that level.
The controversy did not begin with Hassan’s latest interview or governor Bala’s petition against Senator Buba. In September, 2025, a group known as Northern Youth for Peace and Progress submitted a petition to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urging him to remove Senator Buba as the chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence. The group’s leader, Comrade Hassan Sadau had expressed worries about the Senator’s supposed involvement in the ongoing security crisis in the region. He was eventually removed without probe. In an attempt to clear his name, Senator Buba denied the accusations and dared Hassan the fulani boy to provide proofs. Buba revealed that Hassan was a beneficiary of his foundation, whom he claimed was introduced to him as an orphan desirous of acquiring education. He alleged that Hassan abandoned school and later capitalised on access to his home to gather information (photographs and videos) which, according to the senator, were used to fabricate injurious narrative against him. Also, responding to Governor Mohammed’s allegation leveled against him, Senator Buba strongly rebutted it. He stated that he has no senior legislative aide called Yahaya Ibrahim. He further clarified that people he sponsored for pilgrimage are those endorsed by communities, religious leaders and other stakeholders, while it is the responsibility of security agencies to conduct the required screening. Buba further described Governor Mohammed’s accusations as baseless, fabricated and politically motivated, pointing to the strained relationship between the two politicians.
The existence of previous allegations does not in any way prove the present allegations, just as Senator Buba’s denial does not in itself settle every question raised against him. The dispute therefore presents two compelling and competing narratives. Hassan maintained that he possesses information pointing to connections between the senator and criminal networks while Senator Buba says the allegations are politically motivated fabrications. Neither side should be declared guilty or vindicated merely on the basis of public opinion. If Hassan is in possession of incontrovertible facts or genuine documentary evidences, they should be handed over to relevant security agencies. The investigation rather than allegations should then determine the genuity of evidences.
Whatever evidence Hassan has against, Senator Buba, he deserves fair hearing notwithstanding. He is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. This is equally an important element of the justice system which should be adhered to. A social-media interview cannot replace a criminal investigation or judicial determination. Neither should ethnic identity, political affiliation or religious association determine guilt. The right place to establish the truth is through a competent, thorough independent investigation. Interestingly, Hassan himself is prepared as he threw an important challenge to the authorities. He said; Nigerians should not simply believe him but should examine the evidence. His position is not only significant in getting to the root of the matter but seeks to provide solution to a lingering problem which seems to have defiled all odds.
Senator Buba’s response to the Hajj controversy also deserves proper scrutiny. If his claim that Yahaya Ibrahim is not his aide is correct, the truth can be established through official records. Facts, rather than political loyalty should decide this matter. When credible information suggesting that a serving senator has links to terrorism or banditry is presented to the authorities, it should be examined professionally by security agencies. That does not mean Senator Buba should automatically be arrested; it means the allegations should be subjected to intelligence assessment.
The critical questions to be established are: who are the individuals Hassan identified? Are they genuine members or associates of Dogo Gide’s network? Did they ever travel to Abuja? Where did they stay? Did they receive specialised training? Who paid for the alleged training? What telephone or electronic communications existed? Did any money move between the individuals? Was Senator Buba directly or indirectly involved? Was any legislative aide connected to the individuals? Are the photographs and recordings authentic? When were they created? Do they establish criminal conduct or merely social contact? Are there other independent witnesses or documentary records? And was there any criminal offences committed? These questions should be answered without fear or favour. This is where the role of the Department of State Services which lists among its responsibilities as prevention, detection and investigation of terrorism, subversion, sabotage, separatist agitation, inter-group conflict and other threats to internal security becomes critical.
Like every Nigeria’s problem, religious angle has been introduced to the saga and this approach is definitely dangerous. The supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria in a press release has dabbled into the matter rejecting attempt by the DSS to probe the Senator. It should be noted that; terrorism and banditry are not political party, tribal or religious problems. They have affected communities inhabited by different religious and ethnic groups alike. The reality shows that terrorism ultimately turns against the society from which it emerged without discrimination. Therefore, Nigeria cannot defeat insecurity while protecting criminals because they belong to a particular ethnic, political or religious constituency.
At the moment, the country needs truth, not protection. This controversy offers Nigeria an opportunity to either turn it into another tribal, political and religious shouting match or allow the institutions of state to establish the truth. Hassan himself should be ready to tender whatever evidence he claims to have to the authorities. Senator Buba should also be allowed to defend himself and respond to every allegation against him. Religious organisations and political parties should desist from interfering with the jobs of the security agencies while concerned institutions must perform their responsibilities professionally and transparently. There should be no predetermined victim and no predetermined culprit. If Hassan has lied, let the evidence establish it. If Senator Buba has been falsely accused, let an investigation clear him.
What is the way out? The answer should not be reduced to military operations alone. What the country needs is a comprehensive intelligence-based security architecture covering vital sectors of policing, technology, border management, financial investigation and economic development. First, intelligence agencies must be well coordinated both in strategies and operations. Security information obtained by the DSS, police, military, intelligence and financial-crime agencies should be analysed jointly rather than rather than keeping it trapped in institutional silos. Second, authorities should track the money. Kidnapping is a thriving enterprise so also is terrorism sustained by financing. Investigators should, therefore, identify ad clamp down on ransom channels, financiers, money launderers, intermediaries and individuals who knowingly provide logistical support to the crime. Third, illegal mining and arms smuggling must be stopped. Criminal minded groups can only survive with available weapons, money, communication and logistical supply. Fourth, community policing and rural intelligence structures should be strengthened. Communities often under attack understand better the movement of criminal elements than security or government officials who are in cities hundreds of kilometres away. Fifth, the wheel of justice should turn faster. Arrest without prosecution is not justice; prosecution without competent investigation is also unsustainable. Finally, government should promptly address the socio-economic conditions which support criminal enterprises to recruit and thrive.
If any evidence establishes that the senator or anyone around him has assisted terrorists or bandits, the law should take its course. Nigeria has suffered too much from terrorism, kidnapping and banditry to allow political connections to determine who gets investigated and who gets protected. The real issue, therefore, is not whether Senator Shehu Buba is guilty or innocent. Another question is whether Nigeria has the institutional courage to investigate serious allegations against big men wherever they lead. Answers to these questions rest on the political will, evidence and, ultimately, the courts not social media, politicians or religious pressure groups. After more than a decade of Boko Haram insurgency, years of kidnapping, the devastating expansion of banditry and terrorism, Nigerians deserve nothing less. Fair hearing for Senator Shehu Buba. Fair hearing for Hassan. But above all, justice and security for the Nigerian people.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, lecturer, Department of Mass Communication and Head, Internationalisation and Partnership, Coal City University, Enugu
