Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Supreme Council for Shari'ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has formally demanded that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) conduct an independent investigation into renewed allegations linking Senator Shehu Buba Umar to acts of banditry and terrorism, marking a notable shift from its previous defense of the lawmaker. The Council, in a statement issued on Monday, September 7, 2026, and signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, warned against the politicisation of security matters while stressing that the "grave nature" of the allegations carries "potentially far-reaching implications for national security".
The move comes after former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung called on the DSS to make public the outcome of its investigation into allegations linking Senator Umar to banditry. Senator Shehu Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District and previously chaired the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has faced renewed allegations over alleged links to criminal networks involved in terrorism, kidnapping and banditry. He has consistently denied the claims, describing them as "fabricated, manipulated and a coordinated campaign by his political opponents".
The SCSN explained that its engagement with Senator Buba began in late 2023 as part of broader consultations with security institutions on non-kinetic approaches to combating terrorism and banditry, and was done in coordination with the ONSA and DSS. "To the best of our knowledge, such engagements and efforts formed part of legitimate initiatives aimed at supporting the broader national security architecture and were appreciated by the heads of these offices at the highest levels," the Council stated.
However, the Council noted that the emergence of renewed allegations makes it necessary for authorities to "clear the air". It is now urging the NSA and DSS to provide Nigerians with clarification regarding the nature and context of their working engagements with the senator, and to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the renewed allegations. "Such clarification would help separate legitimate security engagements, particularly those relating to approved non-kinetic approaches, from malicious attempts to distort or misrepresent such engagements for political purposes," the Council said.
The shift is particularly notable given the Council's own history on the matter. When allegations first surfaced in October 2024—following a petition from Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed—the SCSN moved quickly to Buba's defense, describing the accusations as "baseless and malicious". As recently as early September 2026, the Council was still publicly defending Buba. Just days later, that position has changed. While the statement does not specify a single new piece of evidence driving the reversal, it lands amid weeks of escalating claims against Buba, including a viral interview with a man who alleged he filmed bandits collecting weapons at Buba's residence before a mass-casualty attack in Benue State. Buba has separately filed a complaint against a reporter covering the allegations.
The Council reaffirmed its long-standing position that it has consistently condemned terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry, stressing that every innocent life is sacred. It called on political actors, the media, civil society, and the public to exercise responsibility and restraint, noting that while credible allegations must be investigated, unsubstantiated accusations must not be weaponised. "We therefore urge the relevant security authorities to act decisively and transparently in resolving the issues surrounding these renewed allegations, so that Nigerians may know the facts and the nation's attention can remain focused on the far more urgent task of defeating terrorism, banditry and insecurity in all their forms," the statement read.
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