Sep 6, 2026

Senator Denies Sponsoring Bandits, Brands Viral Claims Fabricated Propaganda

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Abuja, Nigeria—September 6, 2026—Senator Shehu Buba, who represents Bauchi South in the National Assembly, has strongly denied allegations linking him to bandit kingpins and the sponsorship of banditry across northern Nigeria, describing the claims as “fabricated,” “propaganda,” and the product of manipulated videos.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Buba said he has faced a sustained campaign of false narratives since 2024.

The latest wave of online accusations claims that high-profile bandit leaders visited his residence and that he sponsored some of them for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

“These claims must be subjected to proper evidentiary standards—not accepted merely because they appear in a viral video,” the senator stated.

He disclosed that he has filed formal legal actions in Nigerian courts and submitted a criminal complaint to the Public Prosecutor at the Tribunal of First Instance in Niamey, Niger Republic, seeking the prosecution of one Hassan Saleh Hussein for defamation and electronic insult.

Political Context and Timing

Buba said the intensity of the allegations increased after he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to become the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate for Bauchi State in the 2027 election.

He insisted that his decision to switch parties should be judged on policy, competence, and vision rather than “fabricated allegations.”

The senator, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has repeatedly rejected similar claims dating back to 2024.

Those earlier accusations included a petition by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed to President Bola Tinubu alleging that an aide of the senator facilitated Hajj registration for a suspected bandit.

Buba has consistently maintained that he sponsors pilgrims solely on recommendations from community and religious leaders and that he has no personal links to criminal elements.

In recent interviews, Buba also clarified his past relationship with the main accuser, Hassan, describing him as someone he once assisted with education before the man allegedly turned against him.

He has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and claimed that several suspects linked to the smear campaign have been arrested.

Calls for Investigation and Defence

While Buba and some civil society groups dismiss the allegations as political blackmail aimed at derailing his gubernatorial ambition, other voices have demanded deeper scrutiny.

The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has called on President Tinubu, the National Assembly leadership, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Security Adviser to conduct a transparent investigation, describing the claims as too serious for national security to ignore.

Supporters and coalitions of civil society organizations have, meanwhile, urged authorities to disregard the accusations, pointing to Buba’s record of constituency projects, scholarships, fertilizer distribution, and empowerment programmes.

A Familiar Pattern in Nigerian Politics

Allegations of political sponsorship of banditry have become a recurring feature of northern Nigeria’s security and political discourse.

Viral videos and social-media interviews frequently drive public outrage, yet independent verification remains difficult.

Fact-checkers have previously identified some circulating clips as spliced or unrelated footage.

Senator Buba has maintained that he remains open to scrutiny and that he has never hosted bandit leaders nor sponsored criminal activity.

He continues to frame the controversy as an attempt by opponents to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 Bauchi governorship race.

As the legal processes in Nigeria and the Republic of Niger unfold, and as security agencies face renewed pressure to clarify earlier investigations, the episode once again highlights the intersection of politics, insecurity, and online information warfare in Nigeria.