By Najeeb Sani
The Bauchi Youth Discussion Circle has called on the Federal Government to order an independent, thorough and professional investigation into recent allegations reportedly made by one Hassan concerning Senator Shehu Buba Umar.
The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Prince Mohammed Sani Hassan,
stressed that issues bordering on national security should not be treated as political propaganda, social-media speculation or partisan controversy.
The group said the allegations have generated significant public concern in Bauchi State and beyond, making it necessary for the appropriate authorities to establish the facts through due process.
The group maintained that it was not declaring Senator Shehu Buba Umar guilty or seeking his conviction through the media, noting that every Nigerian is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
However, it opined that “allegations with potential national-security implications cannot simply be ignored and should be subjected to credible investigation capable of determining whether the claims are genuine, fabricated or motivated by other considerations”.
The group therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to direct the relevant security agencies, particularly the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate the allegations comprehensively.
It said the authorities should establish what evidence exists, determine the source and motive behind the allegations, assess whether there are genuine national-security implications and, where necessary, take appropriate action in accordance with Nigerian law.
The Bauchi Youth Discussion Circle also called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take lawful steps to ensure that Hassan, who is reportedly outside Nigeria, is provided with appropriate security and encouraged to return through lawful means to make a formal statement and present any evidence he claims to possess.
According to the group, if the allegations are genuine, the accuser should be given the opportunity to substantiate them before competent authorities, while any deliberate fabrication or dissemination of false information should equally be investigated and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The group further stated that Senator Shehu Buba Umar must face the law if a credible investigation establishes that he committed any offence, regardless of his political position or status.
At the same time, it warned against condemning or persecuting him on the basis of unverified allegations if the investigation finds the claims to be baseless.
The group appealed to politicians across party lines to refrain from politicising national-security matters, stressing that security belongs to all Nigerians and that the lives, properties and wellbeing of citizens should remain the priority.