Abuja, Nigeria
May 19, 2025
The Middlebelt Students Forum (MSF) has strongly condemned the continued detention and reported torture of Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), by alleged state operatives, describing the situation as a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
In a press statement released on Monday, the President of MSF, Comrade Taiwo Muhammed, called on Mr. Seyi Tinubu—son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—to immediately intervene and ensure the safety and unconditional release of Comrade Atiku, who is not a factional leader but the duly recognized head of NANS.
Atiku Isah, through his legal representatives, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding enforcement of his fundamental rights and seeking over ₦32.8 billion in damages against the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Mr. Seyi Tinubu.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/966/2025, accuses the respondents of kidnapping, unlawful detention, brutal physical assault—including stabbing—and attempts to forcefully remove Atiku from his legitimate position as NANS President. The legal action was filed by his counsels Ugwueze I. Oduegbu and R.O. Ifebhor of Ajunwa & Co., under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
According to Atiku’s legal team, the student leader was allegedly abducted by DSS operatives and detained without trial for over 15 days, following a violent attack at The Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja, during his official inauguration.
The MSF has described the development as “unacceptable” and “dangerous for democracy,” stating that students will not be intimidated or silenced through force.
“We urge Mr. Seyi Tinubu to rise above partisan sentiments and ensure that the safety and rights of Atiku Isah are upheld. Atiku is the legitimate NANS President. Any effort to frame him as factional is deceptive and undermines students’ unity,” Comrade Taiwo Muhammed said.
He further called on Nigerian authorities, particularly the DSS, to stop the alleged impunity and release Atiku to receive urgent medical attention, given reports of his deteriorating health.
“It is heartless to detain a young father and student leader in a life-threatening condition without access to medical care. This act is not just unlawful, it is inhuman. The world is watching,” the statement added.
Family members had earlier raised the alarm about his disappearance and poor health, alleging that the DSS took him from their clinic where he was being treated for knife wounds and internal trauma. His wife and daughter are said to be deeply traumatized by his continued absence.
Atiku is demanding ₦32.87 billion in general damages and an additional ₦5.5 billion in exemplary damages, with 20% compound interest, for the physical and psychological torture he allegedly suffered in custody.
The Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to schedule a hearing on the matter in the coming days.
