A Nigerian civil society organization, Rural Community Development Outreach (RCDO), has raised alarm over what it describes as a potential national security threat involving a high-ranking political figure and senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Buba.
The group raised the alarm in a petition addressed to the United States Consulate General, urging an immediate review and action against Senator Buba.
However, in a statement by his Legislative Assistant, Hassan Guruji, Buba denied the allegations.
He however, confirmed that the suspected bandit and Mrs Aliyu were among those he registered for the pilgrimage, but he said they were nominated by elders, community and religious leaders in Bauchi state.
The petition, a copy of which was obtained by this reporter, details allegations that Senator Buba has been linked to the sponsorship of terrorism, a claim now under investigation by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the letter signed by RCDO’s National Coordinator, Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe, the organization expressed deep concern over the ramifications of having a public official under such severe scrutiny, adding that the matter cannot be taken lightly.
“We have witnessed the devastating impact of terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the North East, for over seventeen years. If these allegations are true, they represent a betrayal of national trust,” the letter reads.
The petition also highlights a DSS operation that took place on August 17, 2024, when operatives raided a location in Bauchi State and arrested Abubakar Idris, a known terrorist suspect, further noting that the arrest was made just as Idris was preparing to embark on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
It further hints that the DSS investigation reportedly revealed that Senator Buba’s office had facilitated Idris’s travel plans, arranging and expediting his documentation for the trip.
“This revelation is particularly alarming because Senator Buba serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence,” the RCDO’s letter states.
The group argues that Buba’s role as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, which involves overseeing sensitive security operations in the nation, only heightens the gravity of the situation.
“How can we trust our national security to someone whose alleged actions may be aiding those who threaten the survival of our country?” the petition questions.
While noting that both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio are aware of the DSS investigation, RCDO criticized what it called a lack of public transparency regarding the matter, calling for more scrutiny and oversight to ensure the allegations are handled without bias or political interference.
RCDO also asked the U.S. Consulate General to monitor the developments closely and consider denying or suspending Senator Buba’s entry visa to the United States until the DSS completes its investigation, as it would be very risky to allow any individual with potential ties to terrorism to move freely and spread dangerous influence abroad. The organization argued that denying the Senator’s visa would be a precautionary measure to safeguard international security.
The letter also emphasized the long-lasting impact of terrorism on rural communities in Nigeria, particularly in the North East, describing how entire villages have been destroyed, livelihoods obliterated, and thousands of lives lost to violent extremism.
“Our rural areas bear the heaviest burden of this unrelenting violence. We owe it to our citizens to stand firm against anyone who might be contributing to their suffering, directly or indirectly,” the petition emphasizes.
RCDO believes that peace and stability in Nigeria require a resolute stand against any form of complicity with terrorism, regardless of the individual’s social or political standing, expressing concern about the alleged infiltration of political offices by individuals with questionable allegiances.
The petition concludes with a plea for the international community to remain vigilant and support Nigeria’s efforts in combating terrorism, reiterating its commitment to advocating for the welfare and safety of rural communities, who remain the most vulnerable to the consequences of unchecked violence.
“The global community must not turn a blind eye to this grave threat. Accountability at the highest levels of governance is crucial if we are to reclaim peace in our country,” the RCDO emphasized.
