By DAYO ADESULU
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) 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, saying the findings should be made public to the extent permitted by law and legitimate national security considerations.
The development comes amid renewed scrutiny of alleged relationships between political figures and criminal networks involved in terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across parts of Nigeria.
Sharia Council Seeks Clarification From NSA, DSS
In a statement issued on Monday, September 7, 2026, by its Secretary-General, Naku Baba Ahmad, the SCSN said the allegations surrounding Senator Shehu Buba should not be treated as either established facts or dismissed political claims without proper investigation.
Senator Shehu Buba represents Bauchi South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
The Council said clarification from the country’s leading security institutions was necessary because of the potential national security implications of the allegations.
According to the SCSN, the NSA and DSS should explain, within the limits imposed by national security requirements, the nature of their engagements with the senator and whether those engagements were connected to government efforts to combat terrorism and banditry.
The Council argued that such clarification would help distinguish legitimate security-related engagements from attempts to portray them as evidence of criminal involvement.
SCSN Explains Its Previous Engagements With Shehu Buba
The Council said it had maintained engagements with successive Nigerian administrations for decades over terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime.
It noted that its consultations had continued across the administrations of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari and into the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The SCSN stressed that it had consistently condemned terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, murder and the destruction of communities.
It also rejected attempts to justify violent crimes on the basis of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
The Council said its renewed engagement with security institutions intensified from late 2023 as it explored ways of complementing military operations with non-kinetic approaches to Nigeria’s security challenges.
It identified the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS and the Chief of Defence Staff as among the institutions involved in those consultations.
Why Senator Shehu Buba Was Involved
According to the SCSN, Senator Shehu Buba became part of the discussions because of his position at the time as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
The Council said the senator was involved in engagements with security institutions, including the ONSA and DSS, as discussions focused on non-kinetic measures for addressing terrorism and banditry.
“To the best of our knowledge,” the Council said, the engagements were legitimate initiatives intended to support Nigeria’s broader national security architecture.
It added that the efforts were appreciated by senior officials responsible for the relevant security institutions.
Council Previously Defended Senator Shehu Buba
The SCSN further disclosed that it had defended Senator Shehu Buba when similar allegations surfaced in October 2024.
The Council said its position at the time was based on the principle that allegations involving terrorism and national security should be investigated properly rather than automatically used as instruments of political persecution.
However, the emergence of fresh allegations has prompted the Council to again call for the relevant security agencies to clarify the senator’s interactions with them.
The SCSN said transparency was particularly important because the allegations could affect public confidence in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crime.
SCSN Warns Against Political Witch-Hunt
While demanding an investigation, the Council also warned politicians, journalists, civil society organisations and members of the public against making unsubstantiated claims.
It said credible allegations must be subjected to proper investigation, but accusations without evidence should not be allowed to become tools for character assassination or political witch-hunts.
The Council’s position therefore combines two demands: investigate the allegations thoroughly and prevent the issue from being exploited for political purposes.
It urged the relevant security agencies to establish the facts and communicate their findings to Nigerians as far as security and legal restrictions allow.
Why This Matters
The allegations involving Senator Shehu Buba come against the backdrop of Nigeria’s prolonged struggle with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.
The issue is particularly sensitive because it touches on the relationship between political actors, community leaders and security institutions at a time when authorities are under pressure to dismantle criminal networks.
Any verified evidence of a political figure maintaining improper relationships with criminal organisations would have serious implications for national security and public trust.
Conversely, if legitimate security engagements are misrepresented as evidence of criminal collaboration, the resulting controversy could undermine cooperation between political institutions, civil society groups and security agencies.
That is why the SCSN is calling for the allegations to be resolved through evidence rather than speculation.
What Happens Next?
The attention will now be on the NSA and DSS and whether they will publicly clarify their engagements with Senator Shehu Buba.
Any official response from the security agencies could help establish whether the senator’s interactions with them were part of recognised national security initiatives or whether there are other circumstances requiring investigation.
For now, the SCSN maintains that the allegations remain matters requiring verification and has urged Nigerians to avoid treating unproven claims as established facts.
The Council said a transparent resolution would allow Nigerians to understand what actually occurred and enable the country to maintain its focus on confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and insecurity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Senator Shehu Buba?
Senator Shehu Buba Umar is a Nigerian lawmaker representing Bauchi South Senatorial District in the Senate.
What has the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria demanded?
The Council wants the NSA and DSS to clarify their engagements with Senator Shehu Buba and has called for an independent investigation into the allegations against him.
Has the Council accused Senator Shehu Buba of terrorism?
No. The Council has called for the allegations to be investigated and clarified rather than treated as established facts.
Why does the Council want the NSA and DSS involved?
The Council says both institutions were involved in security-related engagements with the senator and should clarify the nature and context of those interactions.
What is the Council’s position on terrorism and banditry?
The SCSN said it has consistently condemned terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, murder and destruction of communities, stressing that such acts cannot be justified by religion, ethnicity or politics.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Senator Shehu Buba has placed renewed attention on the sensitive intersection between politics, national security and Nigeria’s fight against criminal networks.
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has stopped short of declaring the allegations proven. Instead, it is demanding that the NSA and DSS provide clarity while urging an independent investigation.
Ultimately, the credibility of any conclusion will depend on evidence, due process and transparent communication from the appropriate authorities.
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