Bauchi Senator Denies Links to Notorious Zamfara Bandit

• The lawmaker was reacting to reports claiming he sponsored Abubakar Aliyu, a notorious bandit, and one Zainab Aliyu, on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in July
  

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Bauchi South Senator, Shehu Buba, has refuted allegations of being connected to a suspected bandit operating in and around Zamfara State.

The senator made this clarification through a statement issued by his Legislative Assistant, Hassan Guruji, on Friday in Abuja.

The lawmaker was reacting to reports claiming he sponsored Abubakar Aliyu, a notorious bandit, and one Zainab Aliyu, on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in July. The reports suggested that Senator Buba facilitated the pilgrimage for the suspects, who are allegedly involved in banditry and kidnapping activities in Zamfara and its environs.

In the statement, Senator Buba acknowledged that both individuals were among those he registered for the pilgrimage. However, he stressed that they were nominated by elders, community, and religious leaders from Bauchi State, and not through his personal discretion.

The suspected bandit, Abubakar Aliyu, has since been arrested and is currently in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) following his apprehension during the pilgrimage screening exercise. Senator Buba confirmed that Zainab Aliyu successfully passed the security screening and was permitted to perform the pilgrimage.

“Senator Buba does not have a Senior Legislative Aide by the name Yahaya Ibrahim,” the statement clarified, adding that the senator has no personal link to the alleged bandit. The statement further explained that the senator registers numerous individuals for pilgrimage every year based on recommendations from community and religious leaders, trusting that security agencies would conduct due diligence.

“While it is the responsibility of security services to vet potential Hajj pilgrims, Senator Buba sponsors individuals for the pilgrimage based on recommendations from elders, community leaders, and religious figures,” the statement noted.

Hassan Guruji reiterated that Senator Buba, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Security, has consistently used his position to combat insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.

“As chairman of a crucial Senate committee, Senator Buba has actively championed initiatives aimed at countering insurgency and banditry, which are beginning to yield positive results,” the statement concluded.