The Nigeria Democratic Front (NDF), a prominent civil society organization, has issued a passionate appeal to the Department of State Services (DSS) to disclose the findings of its investigation into Senator Shehu Buba’s alleged links with a wanted terrorist, Abubakar Idris.
The group made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday, December 5, 2024, through its National Spokesperson, Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency in handling such weighty allegations.
The allegations against Senator Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District and serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, have sparked widespread concern. These accusations stem from his purported logistical support to Abubakar Idris, a notorious terrorist arrested by the DSS in Bauchi State on August 17, 2024.
However, despite the ongoing investigation on the allegations, Senator Buba continues to preside over one of the nation’s most sensitive committees (as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence) — a situation the NDF describes as alarming and detrimental to national security.
In the strongly-worded statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the NDF called on the DSS to prioritize the release of its findings to enable appropriate action against the Senator if the allegations are substantiated. The group expressed concern that the continued silence on such grave matters risks eroding public trust in both the National Assembly and the nation’s security architecture.
The NDF accused Senator Buba of leveraging his political influence to shield criminal elements, citing his history as a former leader of the controversial Miyetti Allah group and his alleged dealings with bandits. The group also highlighted his reported ties to Tukur Mamu, the publisher of Desert Herald, who remains in DSS custody for his connections to banditry. However, the lack of accountability for the Senator, despite his alleged associations with these figures, has fueled suspicions of political protection.
“Political patronage is a major factor enabling the proliferation of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria,” Ezenekwe remarked.
“The failure to investigate and prosecute individuals like Senator Buba sends a dangerous message to criminals and law-abiding citizens alike — that impunity thrives at the highest levels of governance,” he cautioned.
The group further expressed worry over the devastating impact of terrorism and banditry on Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric, regretting that these criminal activities have displaced farming communities, crippled agricultural productivity, and claimed countless lives, particularly in the North-Central and North-East regions. Against this backdrop, the group insists that the DSS owes it to the Nigerian people to act decisively and transparently.
“Our DSS is renowned for its integrity and professionalism. We urge the agency to consider the thousands of Nigerians who have been murdered, maimed, or displaced by terrorist activities in this country,” Ezenekwe stated, re-emphasizing that “The time to act is now. National security must not be compromised for political expediency.”
The NDF also warned that treating the allegations as a mere political exercise would have dire consequences for the country’s stability.
“These accusations transcend politics. They strike at the heart of Nigeria’s survival as a nation. The DSS must prioritize this investigation and ensure that the truth is brought to light,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the group questioned the appropriateness of allowing Senator Buba to remain in his position as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence while under investigation.
The group, therefore, called on the Senate leadership to immediately suspend Senator Buba from his position pending the outcome of the DSS investigation.
“The continued presence of an individual facing such grave allegations in a critical security role sends a troubling signal to Nigerians and the international community. It is imperative that the Senate takes a stand to preserve its integrity; while it’s also important that the DSS handles the investigation with the seriousness, urgency, and transparency it deserves,” NDF cautions.
Continuing, it stated that, already the people of Southern Senatorial District of Bauchi State have begun agitation for the recall of the Senator, based on these weighty allegations, coupled with his perceived none-performance and chair-warming at the National Assembly.
“The Nigerian people are watching, and they will hold those in power accountable for their actions—or inactions. If the allegations are proven true, Senator Buba must face the full weight of the law, regardless of his political stature.
“And every step in doing this should be transparent enough. The consequences of ignoring this issue are too great; and Nigeria cannot afford to ignore or perpetuate a cycle of corruption and violence that has not only cost it a lot but also threatens its survival. The time to act is now,” the group concluded.
