Political Storm Around Shehu Buba Grows After Sharia Council’s New Position

The controversy surrounding Senator Shehu Buba Umar has intensified after the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria called on security agencies to provide official clarification over his past engagements.

The council’s intervention followed renewed allegations linking the senator to banditry and terrorism.

It asked the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services to conduct an independent investigation.

The council also urged the agencies to make their conclusions public.

The statement marks a change in tone from the organisation’s earlier response to accusations against Buba.

In 2024, the council strongly defended him, describing the allegations as baseless and malicious.

The latest statement does not make a finding against Buba.

Instead, it says the security agencies should establish the facts surrounding his interactions with them.

The council said it began working with security institutions in late 2023 on non-kinetic strategies for tackling terrorism and banditry.

Those discussions involved the ONSA, DSS and Chief of Defence Staff, according to the organisation.

Buba became involved because of his position as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

The council said the engagements were legitimate and were appreciated by senior officials.

However, renewed accusations have generated questions about the nature of those contacts.

The council said the authorities should therefore provide the necessary clarification.

The controversy has been fuelled by claims circulated through social media and interviews.

Some of the allegations have centred on purported contact between the senator and bandits.

But some videos and other materials cited in the debate have also been questioned.

The council’s position appears designed to separate legitimate investigation from unverified claims.

It urged Nigerians to allow facts and evidence to guide the matter.

The organisation also warned against political witch-hunts and character assassination.

At the same time, it maintained that credible allegations must not be ignored.

The council reiterated that terrorism, kidnapping, murder and destruction of communities cannot be justified under any circumstances.

The latest development places increased attention on the security agencies.

Their response could determine whether the allegations develop into a formal investigation or remain part of a wider political controversy.

Buba, the ONSA and the DSS had not publicly responded to the council’s latest statement at the time of reporting.

The senator’s alleged security links therefore remain a subject of public debate rather than an established finding of wrongdoing.