Banditry Allegation Against Me By Gov Bala Laughable, Says Senator Buba

By Khalid Idris Doya

Senator Shehu Buba Umar, member representing Bauchi South Senatorial district, has described as laughable and regrettable that Governor Bala Mohammed who has consistently insult and attack President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while inciting citizensv against the FG would petition against him for responding to his unfounded outbursts.

Senator Buba who was responding to a letter written against him alleging his banditry involvement to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said that Governor Bala only orchestrated the withdrawal of his chieftaincy title by the Bauchi emirate council, but also employed political proxies to undermine his standing in Bauchi state.

The Senator said, “I have endured Governor Bala Mohammed’s arrogance, excesses, and unbecoming behavior, including his unfounded fabrications directed at my character—all because I defended the President against his incessant disparaging remarks”.

“Such underhanded tactics clearly indicate his desperation, and I refuse to be intimidated. I am therefore unsurprised by his recent antics, which involve fabricating falsehoods in a petition to the President”, Senator Buba recalled.

It could be recalled that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed had written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alleging the Senator’s complicity in supporting, enabling and empowering bandits to cause mayhem and go unscathed.

In the letter No. GO/SS/SIR/S/119/T dated 19th September, 2024, the Bauchi State Governor wrote to President Tinubu, saying that he received a report from Bauchi State Pilgrims Welfare Board, that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) Bauchi state command visited the board during the 2024 pilgrims operations and demanded for the e-passport of Abubakar Idris and one Zainab Aliyu Gado who were both registered as intending pilgrims with the board.

Governor Bala told President Tinubu, “Your Excellency, report received from the Bauchi State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board was that operatives of the Department of the State Services (DSS) Bauchi state command visited the board during the 2024 pilgrims operations, and demanded for the e-passport of Abubakar Idris and one Zainab Aliyu Gado who were both registered as intending pilgrims with the board”.

“Unfortunately the e-passport of the said Zainab Aliyu had already been released and she had traveled out for the Hajj, while that of Abubakar Idris was released to the service. He was subsequently detained by the DSS. Abubakar Idris was suspected of banditry and kidnapping activities in Zamfara state, as far as we know, he is still with the DSS”, Governor Bala said.

According to the governor, records available in the board showed that the said pilgrims were registered among others through one Yahaya Ibrahim – Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Shehu Buba Umar, adding “Your Excellency, this development is worrisome as it suggests the Senator’s complicity in supporting, enabling and empowering bandits to cause mayhem and go unscathed”.

Governor Bala Mohammed therefore told President Tinubu in the letter that the Senator’s involvement called for a thorough investigation and arrest and prosecution of all those found to be involved, stressing that he considered it very imperative to brief Mr. President on the development due to the security implications involved.

But the Senator Buba Umar said that he didn’t have a Senior Legislative Aide named Yahaya Ibrahim, saying “While it falls within the jurisdiction of security services to conduct due diligence on prospective Hajj pilgrims, I sponsor numerous individual the pilgrimage each year based on recommendations from elders, community leaders, and religious figures”.

Buba further explained that as chairman of a Senate committee on Security and Intelligence, heI has actively championed and supported initiatives aimed at counter-insurgency and anti-banditry which, he said, have begun to yield positive results.

The Senator said he wondered why Governor Bala Mohammed maintained his attacks on President Tinubu, and waging a political war against those of them who dare to question his leadership style and arrogance.

He further told Tinubu in the response, “Mr. President, I’d like to remind you that in 2019, when Bala Mohammed faced political challenges, I personally introduced him to you through Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. However, just a few months later, he surprisingly turned against You, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the APC at a PDP campaign rally in Bayelsa State, showcasing his ungrateful and duplicitous nature”.

Buba conclusively stated categorically that he stood firm against what he also described as “baseless allegations”, as he remained committed to his responsibilities as a senator dedicated to Bauchi south senatorial district constituents’ welfare and the nation’s security.