By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called for a comprehensive and independent investigation into allegations linking Senator Shehu Buba Umar to acts of banditry and terrorism, warning against the politicisation of national security issues.
The Council made its position known in a statement issued on Monday, stressing that allegations of such magnitude must be handled with utmost professionalism and objectivity by relevant security agencies.
The renewed controversy follows calls by former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, urging the Department of State Services (DSS) to make public the outcome of investigations into claims connecting the senator to criminal activities.
Responding to the development, the SCSN urged the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the DSS to conduct a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation to establish the facts and reassure the public.
The Council expressed concern over what it described as increasing attempts to politicise security matters, cautioning against unverified accusations, speculation and campaigns capable of undermining public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
According to the organisation, national security challenges such as terrorism, insurgency and banditry require collective commitment and should not be exploited for political advantage.
The SCSN noted that it has consistently engaged successive administrations on the need to address insecurity across the country. It said its advocacy efforts have spanned the administrations of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Council reiterated its longstanding position that every human life is sacred and that acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, murder and the destruction of communities are unacceptable under any circumstance.
It maintained that violent crimes cannot be justified on the basis of religion, ethnicity, politics or any other consideration, adding that it has repeatedly condemned such acts in the strongest terms.
The SCSN explained that its engagement with Senator Shehu Buba Umar arose from its broader consultations with key security institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services and the Chief of Defence Staff, aimed at finding lasting solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to the Council, these consultations intensified in late 2023 as part of efforts to complement military operations with credible non-kinetic approaches designed to address the root causes of terrorism and banditry.
It noted that Senator Umar was involved in some of these engagements in his capacity at the time as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
The Council therefore called on security agencies to investigate the allegations thoroughly and professionally, ensuring that the outcome is guided solely by facts and evidence rather than political interests.
It added that only a transparent and credible investigation can help protect the integrity of national security institutions while preserving public trust in the fight against terrorism and banditry across Nigeria.