The senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba, has denied fresh allegations linking him to banditry, describing viral videos and claims circulating on social media as a campaign of disinformation and character assassination.
Buba, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has faced similar allegations since 2024, which he has consistently denied.
The latest controversy followed videos circulated by a content creator known as “D English Alhaji”, who alleged that suspected bandit kingpins had visited the senator’s residence. A resident, Hassan Husseini, also accused Buba of allegedly aiding bandits.
In a statement titled “Setting the Record Straight: My Response to Fabricated Videos, False Allegations and a Sustained Campaign of Disinformation,” Buba dismissed the allegations as false.
The senator said the viral videos were misleading and had combined unrelated footage, including images of Hajj returnees who visited his residence in 2023.
He also alleged that some individuals involved in circulating the materials had attempted to extort money from him. According to Buba, he petitioned the police in September 2025, leading to the arrest and prosecution of five suspects on charges including cyberstalking, defamation and extortion.
Buba said the case is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the next hearing scheduled for September 29, 2026.
The lawmaker also denied allegations that he sponsored a suspected bandit kingpin for the 2024 Hajj, saying he had invited security agencies to investigate the claim.
He maintained that his involvement in security and humanitarian interventions was aimed at addressing insecurity and supporting affected communities.
Buba accused political opponents of using the latest allegations to damage his reputation ahead of his governorship ambition on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party.
He urged journalists, fact-checkers and members of the public to independently verify the allegations rather than relying on viral social media content.
