By Prevail Inegbenose
Senator Shehu Buba Umar, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate in Bauchi State, has challenged security agencies to investigate allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing, kidnapping and other criminal activities, declaring that his conscience is clear.
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The Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District made the declaration on Monday while addressing a press conference in Bauchi, where he announced that he had voluntarily submitted himself to the Department of State Services (DSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Nigeria Police Force for investigation.
Recall that a young man simply identified as Hassan Husseini, recently accused the lawmaker, in viral videos, of sponsoring banditry in the north-east.
Reacting to the accusation, Senator Buba said he took the step to put an end to what he described as recurring allegations and allow the relevant authorities to establish the truth rather than leave the matter to social media speculation.
“My conscience is clear. I have nothing to hide. I have voluntarily submitted myself for investigation because the truth should not be afraid of scrutiny,” he said.
He said the allegations were not new, recalling that similar accusations were made against him in 2014 and were subsequently investigated and debunked.
According to him, the latest allegations had become serious enough to warrant a formal investigation by the security agencies.
Senator Buba disclosed that his legal team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, had formally written to the DSS, DIA and police requesting a comprehensive investigation.
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He challenged anyone with credible evidence linking him to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping or the financing of criminal groups to submit such evidence to the appropriate authorities.
“Do not hide behind social media. Do not rely on edited videos, insinuations, propaganda or anonymous allegations,” he said.
The Senator also disclosed that he had previously taken legal action over what he described as false allegations, with some individuals allegedly involved in spreading the claims facing proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He further referred to a September 2025 petition submitted to the Nigeria Police Force and another petition dated September 7, 2026, in which his legal team sought Interpol intervention over one of the individuals they believe was behind some of the allegations.
Shehu Buba said copies of his submissions had also been forwarded to the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence.
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence said his previous engagements with security and intelligence agencies might have been misrepresented by his accusers as evidence of links to criminal elements.
He insisted that he was prepared to face prosecution if investigators established a prima facie case against him based on credible evidence.
Shehu Buba, who is seeking the Bauchi governorship in 2027 on the PRP platform, however, alleged that the accusations were being exploited to damage his political reputation.
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He urged his supporters to remain calm and refrain from insulting, threatening or attacking anyone over the allegations.
“If there is evidence against me, let it be produced. If there is none, those who have deliberately manufactured and circulated these allegations should equally be held accountable under the law,” he said.