Shehu Buba denies backing banditry, accuses critic of smear campaign

Senator Shehu Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, has denied allegations that he supports or facilitates banditry in northern Nigeria, accusing his critic of attempting to damage his reputation through propaganda.

The allegation was made by a man identified as Hassan in an interview with social media influencer D English Alhaji Media.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, Hassan accused Buba and other unnamed politicians of aiding criminal networks operating in northern Nigeria.

He also alleged that individuals associated with wanted bandit leader Dogo Gide were brought to Abuja for specialised training, purportedly through an aide to the senator at the National Assembly.

Buba, who is the Peoples Redemption Party governorship candidate for Bauchi State in the 2027 election, rejected the allegations in an interview with Albarka Radio in Bauchi.

The senator said he knew Hassan and had previously assisted him after he was introduced as an orphan in need of support to continue his education.

Buba said he connected Hassan with an Islamic scholar, Musa Asadussunnah, who helped secure his admission into both Islamic and conventional schools.

He also said he provided Hassan with a bicycle to make it easier for him to travel to school.

“After a short time, he told us that he was leaving school for the car dealership business, which I rejected, insisting that he must finish school before anything else,” Buba said.

“As he is an orphan, I advised him to finish school because it would help him in the future, but he insisted. Three weeks later, I learned that he had left.”