The Department of State Services (DSS) is investigating Senator Shehu Buba, who represents the Bauchi South Senatorial District, over his alleged connections to notorious bandit Abubakar Idris.
A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed to THISDAY in Abuja yesterday that a security report concerning the senator has been submitted to President Bola Tinubu.
According to the source, the report alleges that Senator Buba facilitated the registration of notorious bandit Abubakar Idris as a pilgrim to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj through one of his aides.
This revelation prompted DSS operatives to raid the Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board during the 2024 Pilgrims Operations.
The source elaborated that DSS personnel sought the e-passports of Abubakar Idris and Zainab Aliyu Gado, both listed as intending pilgrims by the board.
Unfortunately, the e-passport for Zainab had already been issued, and she has since traveled for the Hajj, while Idris’s passport was retained by the service.
Idris has since been arrested and detained by the DSS. According to the security source, he is suspected of involvement in banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State and is currently in DSS custody.
The source alleged that the two pilgrims were registered by Yahaya Ibrahim, a Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Umar.
The situation is troubling, the source noted, suggesting the senator’s potential complicity in supporting and empowering bandits to create chaos without repercussions.
A thorough investigation is underway to apprehend and prosecute everyone involved.
Repeated attempts to contact the senator went unanswered as of the time of this report, and he has yet to respond to a text message sent to him.
When reached for comment, Hassan Abdullahi, the senator’s Senior Legislative Aide, who is accused of facilitating Idris’s registration at the Bauchi Pilgrim Welfare Board, denied any involvement in the matter.
Abdullahi stated, “I do not work at the Bauchi Pilgrim Welfare Board and would not have arranged for the registration of any pilgrim there.”
He added, “I don’t know Idris or anyone associated with criminal activities in Bauchi State. Anyone who links me to any criminal is lying.”
The senator, a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), is currently serving his first term in the 10th National Assembly. He has previously held roles as Special Assistant and Senior Special Assistant to former Governor Isa Yuguda.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, he also served as a Special Adviser to former Vice President Abubakar Atiku.
Senator Buba is recognized for his positive impact on his constituency, providing skills acquisition and empowerment programs for youth and women, as well as improving infrastructure, reducing poverty, and offering social amenities and palliatives to mitigate the effects of petrol subsidy removal.
