By Andrew Haruna
Published: June 6, 2025 | Abuja
As Muslims across Nigeria prepare to mark Eid al-Adha, concerns are mounting over the continued detention of Atiku Abubakar Isah, a factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) with no formal charges leveled against him.
According to family sources who spoke to The Bureau on Thursday, Isah’s prolonged detention has left relatives distressed, especially as the major Muslim celebration approaches.
“We haven’t heard anything definitive from the DSS. They’re still holding him. When we last visited their Abuja office, only his wife was allowed to see him. She was told not to worry — that he’d be released soon,” a family member said.
Despite repeated visits and assurances, Isah remains detained, with fears growing that he will not be able to reunite with his family for Sallah celebrations.
On June 3, 2025, SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Isah’s family was finally allowed to visit him following public outcry and intervention by human rights lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju.
The student leader’s wife, accompanied by a relative and her infant child, was granted access and later confirmed that Isah was in good health. She relayed that DSS officials had assured her of his imminent release — an assurance yet to be fulfilled.
The Alleged Political Backdrop
Isah’s ordeal reportedly began after he accused Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, of offering him a ₦100 million bribe to step down from his NANS position. According to Isah, he rejected the offer — a decision that allegedly led to his abduction, torture, and humiliation, including being stripped naked and beaten in the presence of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
He further alleged that a rival NANS faction, purportedly backed by powerful political interests, physically assaulted him, leading to serious injuries.
Since his arrest by the DSS more than a month ago, Isah has not been charged, and no official explanation has been given for his continued detention — a move many human rights advocates have condemned as a blatant abuse of power and a threat to student unionism in Nigeria.
As the clock ticks toward Eid celebrations, pressure continues to mount on the DSS to either release Isah or formally charge him in a court of law.
