By SUNTV Global Channel | September 8, 2026
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to clarify their engagements with Senator Shehu Buba Umar following renewed allegations linking the lawmaker to banditry and terrorism.
The Council also demanded a swift, thorough and independent investigation into the allegations, insisting that the outcome should be made public within the limits permitted by law and national security considerations.
In a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Naku Baba Ahmad, the SCSN expressed concern that unresolved allegations involving political figures and violent criminal networks could have serious implications for national security and public confidence in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and banditry.
Senator Shehu Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District, has faced renewed allegations over alleged links to criminal networks involved in terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.
However, the Council cautioned against the politicisation of security matters, warning that unsubstantiated accusations and campaigns of character assassination could undermine efforts to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to the SCSN, the organisation has consistently engaged successive Nigerian governments on issues relating to terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other forms of violent crime.
The Council said its engagements had continued from the administrations of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari to the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It stressed that terrorism, kidnapping, murder and the destruction of communities could never be justified on the grounds of religion, ethnicity or politics.
The Council explained that from late 2023, it intensified consultations with relevant security and government institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services and the Chief of Defence Staff.
According to the organisation, the consultations were aimed at exploring non-kinetic approaches that could complement military operations in tackling the root causes and dynamics of terrorism and banditry.
The SCSN said it was during this period that it engaged Senator Shehu Buba in his capacity at the time as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
The Council maintained that the senator’s involvement formed part of legitimate engagements coordinated with relevant security institutions, including the ONSA and DSS, in support of broader national security efforts.
It said similar allegations against the senator had emerged in October 2024, adding that it had defended the principle that allegations involving terrorism and national security must be properly investigated rather than exploited for political persecution.
With the latest allegations resurfacing, the Council urged the NSA and DSS to publicly clarify, within the boundaries of national security, the nature and context of their engagements with Senator Shehu Buba.
According to the Council, such clarification would help Nigerians distinguish legitimate security engagements from attempts to allegedly misrepresent them for political purposes.
The SCSN further called for a transparent and independent investigation into the allegations, stressing that credible accusations must be taken seriously while unsubstantiated claims should not be weaponised for political witch-hunts or character assassination.
The Council also appealed to political actors, journalists, civil society organisations and members of the public to exercise restraint and allow security agencies to establish the facts.
It maintained that a transparent resolution of the matter would help restore public confidence and allow the country to remain focused on the broader fight against terrorism, banditry and insecurity.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments surrounding the allegations and any official response from the relevant security authorities.
