Bauchi Verity Refutes Allegations of DSS Involvement, Seeks Retraction
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi, has come out swinging against an explosive report by Sahara Reporters accusing its Vice Chancellor, Professor Fatimah Tahir, of using the Department of State Security (DSS) to hunt a critic.
This is contained in a statement by Auwal Hassan, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University made available to newsmen on Thursday in Bauchi
The university dismissed the July 30, 2025 report headlined “Bauchi University VC Accused of Using DSS to Hunt Student Over ‘Critical’ Article” as “false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to smear the image of the Vice Chancellor and the institution.”
“This is a fabrication. The Vice Chancellor has not instructed, influenced, or engaged the DSS or any security agency to target Mr. Shehu Ahmed Buwayi or any individual,” it said
The university further dropped a bombshell: “Mr. Buwayi has never been, and is not, a student of Sa’adu Zungur University.”
Calling the publication “a campaign of sabotage,” SAZU accused Sahara Reporters and the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), which raised concerns in the report, of failing to verify the facts before going public.
While reaffirming Professor Tahir’s commitment to free expression, the statement warned that “freedom of speech does not include the right to defame,” citing Section 373 of the Nigerian Criminal Code on defamation.
SAZU demanded an immediate retraction from Mr. Buwayi and urged CITAD to conduct proper due diligence before amplifying unverified claims.
“We remain focused on academic excellence, integrity, and building a world‑class university that Bauchi State and Nigeria can be proud of,” the statement concluded, the Statement conclude
