Bauchi South Senator Shehu Buba has firmly rejected any ties to bandits operating in Zamfara State, following reports linking him to suspected bandit Abubakar Aliyu.
The senator’s denial was conveyed through a statement from his Legislative Assistant, Hassan Guruji, on Friday in Abuja.
The controversy stemmed from allegations that Senator Buba financed Aliyu, a notorious suspected bandit and kidnapper, along with Zainab Aliyu, for a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in July.
Reports also indicated that Aliyu has since been arrested and is currently in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS).
In his statement, Senator Buba acknowledged that both the suspected bandit and Mrs. Aliyu were among those he registered for the pilgrimage.
However, he clarified that their nominations came from community elders, religious leaders, and local representatives in Bauchi State, asserting that he acted solely on their recommendations.
Buba confirmed that the suspected bandit was detained during a screening exercise for the pilgrimage and is now in the custody of the secret police. He added that Mrs. Aliyu successfully passed security screening and was permitted to perform the pilgrimage.
Mr. Guruji emphasized that Senator Buba, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Security, has no personal links to the suspected bandit.
The senator’s decision to register Aliyu for the pilgrimage, he insisted, was based on the nominations from respected figures in the community and not from any affiliations with criminal activity.
“Senator Buba does not have a Senior Legislative Aide by the name Yahaya Ibrahim. While it is the responsibility of security services to conduct due diligence on potential Hajj pilgrims, Senator Buba sponsors numerous individuals for the pilgrimage each year, based on recommendations from elders, community leaders, and religious figures.
“We are aware that Hajiya Zainab Ali was thoroughly screened and permitted to perform Hajj, whereas Abubakar Idris was arrested for further investigation without any interference from the senator’s office,” he narrated.
Mr Guruji said the senator has been using his office at the National Assembly to fight insurgency including banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
“As chairman of a crucial Senate committee, Senator Buba has actively championed initiatives aimed at counter-insurgency and anti-banditry, which are beginning to yield positive result,” the statement said.
