Whistleblower Accuses Bauchi Senator of Supplying Arms Before Deadly Benue Attack

Fresh allegations have emerged against Senator Shehu Buba Umar after a man identified as Hassan accused the Bauchi South lawmaker of allegedly providing firearms and ammunition to armed groups before a deadly attack in Benue State.

The allegations were made in video recordings circulating on social media and reported by several Nigerian media outlets. Hassan claimed he secretly recorded armed individuals collecting weapons from a property he associated with the senator.

He further alleged that some of those who obtained the weapons were later involved in attacks on communities in Benue.

The claims have generated renewed public interest because Senator Buba previously served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, a position that placed him at the centre of parliamentary oversight of Nigeria's security agencies.

However, the allegations have not been independently established.

Senator Buba has strongly rejected accusations linking him to banditry. In a statement reported on September 7, the senator described the latest viral material as part of a campaign of disinformation, saying videos and older allegations were being manipulated and recirculated to damage his reputation.

Buba has also maintained that he is willing to face scrutiny but insists that allegations against him should be tested against verifiable evidence rather than social media claims.

The senator has previously faced controversy over alleged links to suspected bandits. One of the earlier controversies involved claims surrounding the registration and sponsorship of individuals for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. Buba has denied wrongdoing in connection with those allegations.

The Department of State Services has previously acknowledged that investigations into allegations concerning the senator were ongoing, saying the outcome would be made public at the appropriate time.

The renewed allegations have now prompted fresh calls for an independent investigation.

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria on Monday called for security authorities to independently examine the allegations against Buba and establish the facts. The organisation cautioned against deciding serious national-security allegations through political arguments or social-media accusations.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung has also called for greater transparency over the security agencies' handling of the allegations, including clarification of any previous investigation involving the senator.

Why the allegations matter

The claims are particularly sensitive because Nigeria continues to face serious threats from banditry, terrorism and other armed groups.

Any credible evidence that a public official supplied weapons to criminal organisations would have major national-security implications. But equally, unverified accusations against a serving senator can have serious consequences for both the individual and public confidence in the country's political and security institutions.

That is why the central question is no longer simply what is being alleged online, but whether investigators can independently establish the authenticity of the videos, identify the people shown in them and determine whether any weapons were supplied, by whom and for what purpose.

For now, the allegations remain allegations.

Senator Shehu Buba denies involvement, while calls are growing for the relevant security agencies to establish the facts and make their findings known within the limits of national-security and legal requirements.

Key Facts:

• Senator Shehu Buba represents Bauchi South Senatorial District.

• A man identified as Hassan has made fresh allegations linking the senator to armed groups.

• Hassan claims firearms and ammunition were collected from a property associated with Senator Buba.

• He further alleges that some of the armed men later participated in attacks in Benue State.

• The claims have circulated through videos and social-media platforms.

• Senator Buba has denied sponsoring or supporting banditry and has described the allegations as fabricated or politically motivated.

• The DSS has previously said its investigation into allegations concerning the senator would be made public at the appropriate time.

• The latest claims have prompted calls for an independent investigation.

• There is currently no established public finding proving that Senator Buba supplied weapons used in the Benue attack.