Nigerian Senator Faces Criticism Over Alleged Ties To Terror Kingpin Bello Turji
...Allegedly demolished Church for Mosque project
By The9JaTREND
The Senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Shehu Umar Buba is facing mounting criticism over a series of controversies, including an alleged peace deal with wanted terror kingpin Bello Turji, allegations of fueling religious tensions in Plateau State, and past claims of sponsoring wanted bandits to the Hajj pilgrimage.
Senator Buba who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has come under fire in Plateau State for allegedly stoking sectarian conflict between two Islamic sects in Jos.
Alleged Role in Religious Tensions in Jos
Sources disclosed that Senator Buba is funding the construction of a multi-million-naira Juma’at mosque in the Zinariya neighbourhood, just one house away from the long-established Abu Huraira Juma’at Mosque, which belongs to the Dariqa Sufi Brotherhood.
The new mosque, reportedly being built for the Jama’atul Izalatul Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah faction led by Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, has sparked fears of violent clashes between the two groups, given their history of combative sermons.
Further heightening tensions, the report alleges that Senator Buba purchased and demolished a church in the area to build the mosque — a move condemned by members of the Christian community as provocative and disrespectful to their faith.
Constituents in Bauchi South have also criticized the senator for prioritizing the Jos mosque project while leaving an unfinished mosque in his home constituency of Toro.
Controversial Peace Deal with Terror Kingpin Bello Turji
Senator Buba is also facing pushback over his involvement in a proposed peace treaty with Bello Turji, a notorious armed bandit accused of mass killings, kidnappings, rape, and village burnings across the North-West.
The deal, reportedly facilitated through Kaduna-based cleric Sheikh Musa Asadus-Sunnah, has been widely condemned by Muslim clerics who argue that Turji should face justice rather than be pardoned.
Prominent northern preacher Sheikh Murtala Asadah has publicly opposed the peace initiative, accusing the government of ethnic bias and warning that the move could cost President Bola Tinubu political support in the North ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Critics also allege that Buba’s close ties to opposition figure Atiku Abubakar raise questions about his loyalty to the APC, with some calling him a “mole” whose actions undermine the party’s image.
Past Allegations of Sponsoring Bandits to Hajj
In October 2024, the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly investigated Senator Buba for allegedly facilitating the pilgrimage of wanted Zamfara bandit Abubakar Idris to Saudi Arabia.
According to security sources cited by THISDAY, Idris was registered as a pilgrim through Buba’s senior legislative aide. DSS operatives allegedly intercepted his passport during the Hajj processing period, leading to his arrest.
The incident raised concerns among security officials about entrusting a lawmaker under such scrutiny with oversight of national security and intelligence matters.
Hostile Reception in Constituency
Senator Buba’s strained relationship with his constituents came to a head on May 23, 2025, when angry youths in Toro booed and confronted him during a condolence visit.
Chanting “Bamayi” (“We are not doing you again”), the protesters accused the senator of neglecting the community and sabotaging the recruitment of 12 Toro indigenes into the Nigerian Army.
Eyewitnesses said Buba attempted to pacify the crowd with cash, but the youths rejected the offer, demanding meaningful engagement and development projects.
Senator Denies Allegations
While the senator could not be reached for fresh comments, he has previously dismissed accusations of collusion with bandits as “baseless, fabricated, and malicious.”
Reacting to allegations of sponsorship and support of banditry levelled against him by the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, Buba said, “I cannot be intimidated by such allegations.”
“Therefore, I am unsurprised by his recent antics, which involve fabricating falsehoods in a petition to the president. In this letter, he alleges that one Abubakar Idris, a suspected bandit, and Zainab Aliyu Gado were registered to perform the pilgrimage through one Yahaya Ibrahim, purportedly a senior legislative aide to me, Senator Shehu Buba Umar,” he said.
“Upon reviewing the petition, I wish to clarify the following: I do not have a senior legislative aide named Yahaya Ibrahim. While it falls within the jurisdiction of security services to conduct due diligence on prospective Hajj pilgrims, I sponsor numerous individuals for the pilgrimage each year based on recommendations from elders, community leaders, and religious figures.”
“I gather that Hajia Zainab Ali was thoroughly screened and permitted to perform the Hajj, whereas Abubakar Idris was arrested for further investigation without any interference from my office,” Buba added.
“As chairman of a critical Senate committee, I have actively championed and supported initiatives aimed at counterinsurgency and anti-banditry, which have begun to yield positive results.” (SaharaReporters)
