Hassan has identified Senator Shehu Buba Umar of Bauchi South as the politician at the centre of a series of allegations he has been making about suspected sponsorship and support for banditry.
Hassan revealed the senator’s identity during an interview after being repeatedly asked to name the politician he had previously accused without publicly identifying.
He said his decision to speak about the matter followed what he described as personal investigations into individuals allegedly involved in banditry and other criminal activities.
According to Hassan, his investigation allegedly brought him into contact with people connected to the senator and individuals he claimed were associated with notorious bandit groups.
One of the names mentioned was Babangida, whom Hassan described as a younger brother of bandit kingpin Dogo Gide. He claimed Babangida had travelled to Abuja and that he had personally communicated with him.
Hassan said he also had conversations with an individual named Adam, whom he described as a former personal assistant to Senator Shehu Buba Umar at the National Assembly.
He claimed that recordings of his conversations with both men exist and had been submitted to the person conducting the interview.
Hassan alleged that the conversations contained information about the movement of individuals to Abuja and claimed that two boys were brought there for training.
He further alleged that the training involved drones and sniper-related skills.
However, Hassan repeatedly acknowledged that the claims were allegations and urged Nigerians to examine whatever evidence is available before reaching conclusions.
He also referred to photographs and video footage which he claimed showed Senator Shehu Buba Umar with individuals allegedly connected to bandit groups.
Among those mentioned was a man Hassan identified as being connected to Dogo Gide. He also discussed another figure he identified as Kachalla Halejewaji and attempted to distinguish between the different individuals and groups allegedly involved in criminal activities.
Hassan said his decision to make the allegations was not based on religion or personal disagreement. He insisted that his position was that anyone accused of wrongdoing should be investigated because, in his words, nobody is above the law.
He claimed that he had considered taking the matter before a court but said he was concerned about threats to his life.
Hassan also challenged the senator to produce evidence showing that any alleged training programme involving the individuals was officially authorised by the Nigerian government.
He said that if such official documentation exists, he would withdraw his accusation and apologise.
The interview also featured a discussion about Hassan’s previous relationship with some of the individuals he mentioned. He maintained that knowing or having a relationship with someone did not mean he would support their alleged wrongdoing.
The allegations are yet to be independently verified based on the transcript provided. No response from Senator Shehu Buba Umar was included in the material, and the claims should not be treated as proof of criminal conduct.
Given the seriousness of the accusations, any investigation into alleged links between politicians and armed groups should be handled by the appropriate Nigerian security and law-enforcement authorities, with all parties given an opportunity to respond.
