By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Nigeria’s President, Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has been called upon to as a matter of urgency, direct the relevant security agencies, particularly the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), to thoroughly and professionally investigate the allegations of terrorism financing against the Senator representating Bauchi South Senatorial District of Bauchi State, Shehu Umar Buba.
The call was made by a group known as Bauchi Youth Discussion Circle (BYDC) during a press conference on Friday addressed by Prince Mohammed Sani Hassan, Chairman
Bauchi Youth Discussion Circle
Bauchi State, Nigeria, titled: Security is not Politics: We call for an Independent Investigation into the allegations concerning Senator Shehu Buba Umar.
He reads, “We, the Bauchi Youth Discussion Circle, are addressing this press conference today because matters concerning national security are too serious to be treated as political propaganda, social-media speculation, or partisan warfare.”
According to him, “Recent allegations reportedly made by one Hassan, who is said to have left Nigeria, concerning Senator Shehu Buba Umar have generated serious public concern and attracted considerable attention among citizens of Bauchi State and Nigerians generally.”
He added, *Let us make our position very clear: we are not declaring Senator Shehu Buba Umar guilty, and we are not asking anyone to convict him through the media. We believe that every Nigerian is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process. However, allegations touching on national security cannot simply be ignored.”
The group stressed that Nigerians deserve to know, are the allegations true or false? What evidence exists to support the allegations? Who is behind the allegations, and what is the motive? Are there any genuine national-security implications? If the allegations are false, who should be held responsible for spreading potentially dangerous misinformation? And If any part of the allegations is established to be true, what action does the law require?
He said that, *These questions should be answered through investigation—not through political arguments on social media.*
The group also called on the Federal Government and the relevant security agencies to take appropriate lawful steps to ensure that Hassan, the person reportedly making the allegations, was given adequate security and brought back to Nigeria through lawful means where necessary, so that he can make a formal statement and submit whatever evidence he claims to possess to the appropriate authorities.
“If his allegations are genuine, he should have the opportunity to present his evidence before competent authorities. If the allegations are false or deliberately fabricated, the appropriate authorities should also determine the circumstances and take whatever action the law permits,” he added.
According to him,”National security requires facts, evidence and professional investigation. We want to emphasize that our call for investigation is not an attack on Senator Shehu Buba Umar.”
Sani Mohammed Hassan stressed that, “If, after a proper investigation, credible evidence established that Senator Shehu Buba Umar has committed any offence, he must face the law like every other Nigerian, regardless of his political position, status or connections. No politician should be above the law.”
He added, “At the same time, if the investigation established that the allegations are baseless, Senator Shehu Buba should not be condemned or persecuted based merely on accusations. That is what justice means.”
He warned that security must not be politicised because according to him,”The security challenges confronting Nigeria are real and should not become instruments for political competition. We appeal to politicians across party lines to stop treating national-security matters as ordinary political arguments.”
He stressed that, “Security is not APC. Security is not PDP. Security is not Labour. Security is not ADC. Security belongs to every Nigerian.
The lives and properties of ordinary citizens are involved. The Federal Government must therefore demonstrate that every serious security allegation will be treated objectively, irrespective of who is involved.”
According to him,”The people of Bauchi State and Nigerians across the country are watching this matter with keen interest. The youth are watching. Families who have lost loved ones to insecurity are watching. Communities affected by insecurity are watching. The people want answers—not political distractions.”
“We therefore urge the security agencies to conduct a credible, impartial, transparent and professional investigation, while respecting the rights of all persons involved. A warning that should not be ignored,” he added.
Sani Mohammed Hassan added, “We also wish to respectfully caution the Federal Government that security concerns can have serious political consequences if citizens believe that their fears are being ignored.”
He said, “As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, public confidence in the government’s handling of insecurity will matter greatly, particularly across Northern Nigeria.”
According to him, “If citizens develop the perception that serious security allegations are being ignored or treated as political matters, it could negatively affect public confidence in the government and, ultimately, the political fortunes of the Tinubu administration in the North. This is not a threat. It is a democratic reality.
Governments derive legitimacy from the confidence of the people.”
The Bauchi Youth Discussion Circle therefore called for the person making the allegations, Hassan, should be encouraged and assisted through lawful means to return to Nigeria safely and provide a formal statement and evidence to the appropriate authorities while Senator Shehu Buba Umar should be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations through due process.
He also called that if the investigation established that Senator Shehu Buba Umar committed any offence, he should face the law without political interference.
In conclusion, he stressed that, “We are not here to convict anyone. We are here to demand truth, justice, accountability and national security.
Nigeria cannot afford to ignore serious allegations involving security.
At the same time, Nigeria cannot afford to destroy the reputation of a citizen through unverified accusations.”
He added that,”The only responsible path is investigation, evidence and justice. We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the relevant security agencies to act promptly and professionally. Let the truth come out. Security is too important to be politicised. Justice is too important to be compromised. And the Nigerian people deserve the truth.”
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