Criminals Must Face Consequences- Arewa Youth

The Arewa Youth Movement (AYM) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take decisive action against Senator Shehu Umar Buba, alleging that he is aiding criminal activities and inciting violence across northern communities.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the group’s spokesman, Comrade Yahaya Muhammed Garba, said the escalating insecurity in Northern Nigeria demands urgent intervention, stressing that no public official should be allowed to “fuel criminality under the cover of political office.”

The AYM said once-peaceful communities have been turned into “battlegrounds of fear,” with lives lost, homes razed, and families displaced.

“Banditry and kidnapping have left our people traumatised. Families live in constant fear, businesses are collapsing, and farmers are abandoning their lands,” Garba said.

He noted that the surge in ransom payments has transformed abduction into a “lucrative enterprise,” worsening poverty while eroding trust within communities.

The youth movement also acknowledged the sacrifices of Nigerian security personnel who are often “outnumbered, under-resourced, and exposed to severe risks.”

“Many have paid the ultimate price, and their morale is constantly tested,” Garba said. “We owe it to them to confront those who undermine their efforts.”

The federal government has in recent years rolled out security interventions deploying more troops, setting up community policing initiatives, and investing in poverty-alleviation schemes aimed at tackling root causes of violence.

But AYM argued these gains are being sabotaged by individuals within the political class. “The government cannot succeed if powerful figures continue to bankroll criminals,” Garba warned.

The Arewa Youth Movement pointed to disturbing revelations implicating Senator Shehu Umar Buba in aiding armed groups. Among the allegations is a video clip allegedly showing motorcycles and cash being handed from the senator’s residence to bandits in Zamfara State.

The group further accused him of moving injured bandits for treatment**, maintaining close ties with known gang leaders, and inciting violence in Plateau and Bauchi States.

“These actions are a gross abuse of office and a direct assault on the Nigerian people. If left unchecked, they set a dangerous precedent.

AYM urged the Inspector General of Police to launch a thorough investigation into Senator Buba’s activities and ensure due prosecution.

“We must send a clear message: no one is above the law. Visible and timely responses to credible allegations can deter misconduct and restore public confidence in our security institutions.”

The movement added that accountability for public officials is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

AYM called on citizens to unite in demanding justice and refusing to tolerate leaders who, by action or complicity, endanger national security.

“Our resolve is firm,” Garba said. “Those who engage in criminal activities — whether common bandits or those in high office, must face the consequences of their actions. Only then can we build a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.”