The Department of State Services (DSS) has initiated an investigation into Senator Shehu Buba, of All Progressives Congress APC represents the Bauchi South Senatorial District, for his alleged connections to notorious bandit Abubakar Idris.
According to a source who spoke to THISDAY under the condition of anonymity, a security report regarding the senator has been submitted to President Bola Tinubu. The report claims that Senator Buba, through one of his aides, facilitated the registration of Abubakar Idris as a pilgrim for this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
This revelation prompted DSS operatives to conduct an operation at the Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board during the 2024 Pilgrims Operations. The agents reportedly requested the e-passports of Abubakar Idris and another individual, Zainab Aliyu Gado, both of whom were registered as intending pilgrims.
Unfortunately, Zainab’s e-passport had already been issued, and she had traveled for the Hajj, while Idris’s passport was retained by the DSS. Idris has since been arrested and is being detained by the agency. He is suspected of involvement in banditry and kidnapping activities in Zamfara State.
The source indicated that the registration of the two pilgrims was allegedly orchestrated by Yahaya Ibrahim, a Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Buba. This situation raises serious concerns about the senator’s potential complicity in supporting and enabling banditry.
A thorough investigation is reportedly underway to identify and prosecute all individuals involved in this matter.
As of the time of this report, repeated attempts to contact Senator Buba for comment went unanswered, and he had not responded to text messages seeking clarification.
Hassan Abdullahi, the senator’s Senior Legislative Aide, who is alleged to have facilitated Idris’s registration at the Pilgrim Welfare Board, denied any involvement in the case. “I am not affiliated with the Bauchi Pilgrim Welfare Board, and I did not ensure the registration of any pilgrim there,” he stated. Abdullahi further asserted that he does not know Idris or anyone involved in criminal activities in Bauchi State, labeling any claims to the contrary as false.
Senator Buba, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is currently serving his first term in the 10th National Assembly. He has previously held positions as Special Assistant and Senior Special Assistant to former Governor Isa Yuguda and served as a Special Adviser to former Vice President Abubakar Atiku.
Known for his contributions to the welfare of his constituents, Senator Buba has focused on skills acquisition, youth and women empowerment, infrastructure development, poverty reduction, and the provision of social amenities and palliatives to mitigate the effects of petrol subsidy removal.