- Safiu Kehinde
A Fulani man simply identified as Hassan has accused the lawmaker representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Sen. Shehu Buba, of sponsoring terrorism activities in the northern region as he recounted how the lawmaker allegedly hired security personnel to train suspected bandits in Abuja.
Hassan made the allegation in a video call with Nigerian social media influencer and whistleblower, John Aruma, popularly known as D English Alhaji.
Speaking in the clip of the video call post on X on Wednesday, Hassan recounted how Senator Shehu had alleged sponsored one Babangida, the brother of the notorious bandits’ kingpin, Dongo Gide, and several other bandits for a training in Abuja.
Hassan who claimed to be friends with Babangida disclosed his conversation with the bandit who told him how they were taken to Abuja for training and given some military equipment which they often share with another notorious and wanted bandit kingpin, Bello Turji.
‘There is a bandit, his name is Babangida, the junior brother of Dongo Gide. And the other person is Lema. I got the information about their activities when Shehu took them to Abuja to train them.
‘Babangida is my firend, He told me that there is a military night vision device that Bello Turji often wear on his head.
‘He said whenever they go to Abuja, some of the things Shehu gave them were sent to Bello Turji because Turji is worse than them.
‘The reason why I trust Babangida is because I know that he won’t lie to me in this matter. I know him and I know Shehu. I stayed with Shehu for more than two years.’ He said.
Hassan further recounted how Senator Shehu had accommodated the bandits at his residence in Abuja where he introduced some undisclosed security personnel to them who trained them on how to operate drones and sniper rifles.
‘At the time Shehu went to Mecca, he brought that boy to Abuja. He brought some security agencies I don’t want to mention to train them on how to fly drone and sniping.
‘Shehu accommodated them in Abuja. Then Babangida called me that where am I. I said I’m in Abuja. He asked if we couldn’t meet, but I told him that I lied about being in Abuja. I was in Kenya.’ He said.
The man further recalled informing one of his friends at the Department of States Services about the alleged training of the bandits by Shehu.
‘Immediately I called someone in the DSS and told him everything. Remember I told you that there are some DSS officials that know about these matters.
‘But I don’t want to bring them in this matter because I cherish their lives more than anyone thinks.
‘I don’t want to put our security agencies to danger because those politicians are very dangerous.
‘He said to me that ‘Hassan, we can’t do anything about this matter because this person is foul. We know him and we know his works.’ Hassan said.
Meanwhile, the man held that there are several other politicians involved in the terrorism activities.
He however maintained that he is calling out the Bauchi lawmaker based on the evidence he has.
Hassan expressed readiness to apologise to Shehu if the lawmaker can present any official letter approving his training of the suspected bandits.
‘I’m not against only him [Shehu]. There are lots of other politicians behind these things. But the problem is if you don’t have any evidence against somebody, don’t talk about him.
‘If Shehu brings the proof granting him permission to train these bandits, I will come and apologise if he presents official letter where they gave him permission to train those bandits.’ He said.
The allegation had since sparked mixed reactions from members of the public who raised concern over infiltration of Nigerian political space by terrorism sponsors.
Shehu is yet to respond to the allegation as at the time of filing this report.
However, it could be recalled that the lawmaker was last year investigated by the DSS over his alleged link to a notorious bandit, Abubakar Idris.
According to ThisDay, a source privy to the case specifically alleged that the Bauchi South Senator through one of aides registered Abubakar as a Pilgrim to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.
The development, he added, forced the DSS operatives to invade the Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board during the 2024 Pilgrims Operations.
The source further explained that the personnel of the secret police demanded for the e-passports of Abubakar Idris and one Zainab Aliyu Gado who were both registered as intending pilgrims with the board.