The senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba Umar, has voluntarily submitted himself to security agencies for investigation over allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Shehu Buba, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, said he took the step to dispel the allegations and allow the Department of State Services, Defence Intelligence Agency and Nigeria Police Force to independently establish the facts.
The senator made this known at a press conference in Bauchi on Monday, saying the allegations were not new and had previously surfaced in 2014.
According to him, the earlier claims were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated, but similar accusations had resurfaced over the years in different forms.
He said he decided to approach the security agencies directly because the latest allegations had gone beyond social media speculation.
“I have nothing to hide, and I have nothing to fear from any legitimate investigation,” he said.
Shehu Buba disclosed that his lawyers, led by former Nigerian Bar Association President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, had formally petitioned the DSS, DIA and police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
He challenged anyone possessing evidence connecting him to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping or the financing of criminal groups to submit such evidence to the relevant authorities.
“Do not hide behind social media. Do not rely on edited videos, insinuations, propaganda or anonymous allegations,” the senator said.
He said he had previously instituted legal proceedings over what he described as false allegations, adding that some individuals accused of spreading the claims were already facing proceedings before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The PRP governorship candidate also cited a September 2025 petition to the Nigeria Police Force and another petition dated September 7, 2026, in which he sought Interpol’s intervention over one of the individuals his legal team believes was behind some of the allegations.
He said copies of his recent submissions had been forwarded to the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence.
Shehu Buba, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, said his interactions with security and intelligence agencies in the course of his official responsibilities might have been misrepresented as evidence of links to criminal elements.
He maintained that he was willing to face prosecution if investigators established a prima facie case against him based on credible evidence.
The senator, who is seeking to contest the 2027 Bauchi governorship election on the PRP platform, also alleged that the accusations were being deployed to undermine his political reputation ahead of the election.
He urged his supporters to remain calm and refrain from insulting, threatening or attacking those making 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.
“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.”