Hassan Fulani Videos Ignite Online Storm over Bauchi Senator Buba

By Suleman Ayuba and Onibiyo Segun

(Bauchi Nigeria) – Senator Shehu Buba Umar’s political rise has hit a summer storm as Hassan Fulani and D English Alhaji allegations spread online, pushing the Bauchi lawmaker into a national debate over politics and security.

A Facebook personality known as Hassan Fulani and social media influencer D English Alhaji have turned allegations involving the Bauchi South senator into a major online conversation about politics, armed groups and Nigeria’s security crisis.

The controversy grew after Sahara Reporters published claims made by Hassan during an interview with D English Alhaji, alleging links between Senator Buba and bandit-terrorists based in Zamfara State.

Senator Buba has denied wrongdoing and rejected claims that he supports criminal groups. He later responded to the allegations in an interview published by Albarka Radio in Bauchi.

But the bigger story is not only whether the allegations are true. It is the Hassan Fulani phenomenon.

How did a relatively unknown online figure become the face of a national debate involving a powerful politician and one of Nigeria’s most difficult security challenges?

The Hassan Fulani Explosion

Hassan Fulani’s online campaign gained attention after videos linked to him and D English Alhaji began circulating.

Videos connected to the controversy started gaining attention in late August 2025, including a viral video reviewed by PRNigeria that was found to contain misleading claims.

D English Alhaji became a major amplifier of the allegations through interviews and online broadcasts.

His TikTok account lists more than 22,000 followers, while clips from his broadcasts spread across Facebook, Instagram and other platforms.

The controversy originated in the blogosphere, including DaureDavee’s WordPress blog which appeared Oct. 2, 2024, alleging Senator Buba was connected to Zamfara bandits.

Timeline Of The Online Storm

The controversy developed in stages:

• Late August 2025: Videos linked to Hassan Fulani and D English Alhaji began circulating online. PRNigeria later reviewed a viral video connected to the controversy and found it misleading.

• 2025: The issue fueled online debate and political reactions.

• 2026: Sahara Reporters published Hassan’s allegations involving Senator Buba and alleged armed-group links. Social media and radio amplified the controversy.

According to Sahara Reporters:

Hassan alleged that Senator Buba had relationships with individuals connected to armed groups. A viral Facebook post shows Senator Shehu Buba appearing with Kachalla Yahaya Mani, a suspected Zamfara fulani armed group leader.

Senator Buba has denied the allegations and said his relationship with Hassan was based on helping him as an orphan seeking education.

Social Media Runs Ahead Of Newsrooms

The Hassan Fulani controversy shows how security stories now spread in Nigeria. Videos can become national debates within hours as Facebook users, influencers and radio programmes amplify claims.

The challenge for journalists is balancing public interest with verification. Social media demands immediacy, while newsrooms require evidence. The controversy reflects changing ways Nigerians consume and debate security information.

The Bigger Question: Is there a Bandit-Terrorist Godfather System within Government?

In a viral video on Facebook, the Defence Minister Christopher Musa accused former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai of worsening Southern Kaduna tensions, a claim El-Rufai disputes.

For more than three years, armed groups operating across northwestern Nigeria have become more organised and sophisticated.

Many rely on recruitment networks, financing channels, intelligence sources, motorcycle mobility and access to weapons.

The allegations involving Senator Buba included claims connected to individuals associated with Dogo Gide’s network.

The controversy also renewed public attention on Bello Turji, another prominent armed-group commander.

In 2025, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa warned Turji that “your days are numbered” and said it was only a matter of time before he met his “waterloo.”

Yet Turji continues appearing in security discussions alongside names such as Dogo Gide.

Security experts say the challenge is that armed groups do not depend on one commander alone.

“Armed groups don’t survive on one man. They survive on money, weapons, intelligence and safe routes. You can neutralize 10 commanders. If the network is intact, number 11 replaces him. That is why names like Turji and Gide keep coming up,” Kabiru Adamu, security and counterterrorism expert, told TruthNigeria.

Adamu said defeating armed groups requires breaking the systems that allow recruitment, financing and replacement of leaders.

For residents watching the Hassan Fulani controversy, the issue is also about trust.

Salihu Mamman, a Bauchi-based human rights lawyer, said serious allegations involving powerful figures require transparent investigations.

“This is not about one politician. It is about whether Nigerians can trust that serious allegations will be investigated properly. Security agencies must investigate and tell the public what they found. That is how you restore confidence,” Mamman told TruthNigeria.

The Hassan Fulani allegations remain unproven.

Security authorities have not publicly established wrongdoing by Senator Buba.

But the controversy has raised a bigger question: When social media allegations move faster than investigations, how can institutions provide answers Nigerians trust?

Sulieman Ayuba and Onibiyo Segun report on terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria.

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