Bauchi South Senator and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate, Shehu Buba, has challenged individuals and organisations accusing him of links to banditry to present credible evidence, declaring that he is ready to face scrutiny by the Department of State Services (DSS) or any other legitimate authority.
Buba made the declaration in a statement personally signed on Sunday, amid renewed calls for security agencies to investigate allegations linking him to suspected bandit kingpin Abubakar Idris.
The controversy gained fresh attention after former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, called on the DSS to make public the outcome of its alleged investigation into the matter.
Responding to the allegations, Buba dismissed the materials circulating against him as part of a coordinated campaign aimed at damaging his reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The senator alleged that political opponents were using doctored videos and what he described as “fake bandit kingpins” to portray him as having links with criminal elements.
He categorically denied sponsoring bandits or hosting bandit leaders at his residence, insisting that his record of public service remained clean.
“I welcome scrutiny, but scrutiny must be fair. I do not claim immunity from scrutiny,” Buba said, noting that his positions as a senator, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, and current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry naturally subject him to public examination.
According to him, there is a clear distinction between legitimate investigation and what he described as fabrication, blackmail and political character assassination.
Buba further disclosed that he had commenced legal action over some of the videos in circulation, including cases before Nigerian courts and the Court of First Instance in Niger Republic, describing the contents as false and malicious.
He urged journalists, editors, fact-checkers, civil society groups and other stakeholders to independently verify the videos, trace their origins and establish the identities of the individuals featured before drawing conclusions.
The senator explained that his previous silence on the allegations was partly influenced by the sensitive nature of his former role overseeing national security matters.
He said publicly discussing certain security-related contacts or operations could compromise ongoing investigations, expose sources or endanger communities and individuals involved.
However, he said the continued circulation of the allegations had made it necessary for him to publicly state his position.
Buba also advocated a broader approach to tackling insecurity, arguing that military action alone would not permanently resolve Nigeria’s security challenges.
He called for greater community engagement, intelligence gathering, dialogue, deradicalisation and confidence-building between affected communities and security agencies.
The PRP governorship candidate urged his supporters to remain calm and focused on the 2027 democratic process, insisting that political disagreements should be based on policies, competence and vision rather than unverified allegations.
He maintained that he would continue to defend his reputation through lawful means while concentrating on representing his constituents and contributing to peace and security in Nigeria.
