By Paul Joseph
Senator Shehu Buba Umar, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate in Bauchi State and representative of Bauchi South Senatorial District, has voluntarily submitted himself to the Department of State Services (DSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Nigeria Police Force for investigation over allegations linking him to banditry, terrorism financing, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Buba made the disclosure at a press conference in Bauchi on Monday, saying he took the initiative to allow the relevant security agencies to independently examine the allegations and establish the facts.
The senator said he had nothing to hide and was prepared to cooperate fully with investigators to clear his name.
According to him, similar allegations were levelled against him in 2014 and were investigated and subsequently debunked, but he said fresh versions of the accusations had resurfaced years later, particularly across social media platforms.
“I have nothing to hide, and I have nothing to fear from any legitimate investigation,” Buba said.
He disclosed that his legal team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, had formally written to the DSS, DIA and the police, requesting a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
Buba also challenged anyone claiming to possess evidence linking him to criminal activities to submit such material to the appropriate security agencies rather than circulating allegations through social media.
He criticised what he described as reliance on edited videos, propaganda, insinuations and anonymous online claims to create suspicion around his person.
The senator further revealed that his lawyers had previously submitted petitions to the police in September 2025 and to Interpol on September 7, 2026, concerning individuals his legal team believes were responsible for some of the allegations against him.
He said copies of his latest submissions had also been forwarded to senior officials responsible for national security and defence matters.
Buba, who previously served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, said some of his past interactions with security agencies may have been deliberately misrepresented as evidence of alleged connections to criminal groups.
He maintained that his engagement with security institutions was part of his responsibilities and public activities and should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of involvement in criminal networks.
The PRP governorship candidate said he was prepared to face prosecution if investigators established a prima facie case against him on the basis of credible evidence.
However, he alleged that the accusations were also being deployed as part of an attempt to damage his political reputation ahead of the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election.
Buba urged the security agencies to conduct their investigations independently and allow evidence rather than political claims or social media narratives to determine the outcome.
He also appealed to his supporters to remain calm throughout the controversy, warning them against making threats or attacking individuals involved in the allegations.
The senator said he chose to submit himself voluntarily because he believes that genuine investigations provide the best avenue for establishing the truth.
“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.
The development places the allegations before the relevant security authorities, with any determination of criminal responsibility expected to depend on the outcome of their investigations and available evidence.
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