May 7, 2025 – SpringNewsNG Media Limited

Atiku Abubakar Isah, factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) under controversial circumstances after he accused Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of offering him a ₦100 million bribe to support the administration’s youth agenda.

According to multiple sources, Isah was forcibly detained last Tuesday after a violent disruption of his inauguration ceremony in Abuja, where he was officially declared NANS president. The student leader had recently exposed an alleged bribe attempt, claiming Seyi Tinubu and Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande invited him to Lagos with a ₦100 million offer, which he said he refused.

Isah further claimed that following his refusal, he was abducted, beaten, and stripped naked on April 15 in a humiliating assault he alleges was organized by government-linked operatives—including Ladoja Olusola, a rival NANS factional leader backed by Seyi Tinubu.

Held in Hospital, Forced to Recant Allegations

SaharaReporters has learned that Isah is currently being held at the DSS hospital on Airport Road, Abuja, under the guise of medical treatment. Insiders allege he is under intense pressure to retract his accusations, and has been forced to sign a coerced statement of retraction disavowing all previous claims against Seyi Tinubu.

A DSS source, speaking anonymously, revealed that Isah was compelled to pose with a gun in a staged photo, allegedly intended for blackmail to frame him as a security threat.

“He was arrested at the inauguration venue. His phone was seized, and he was coerced to write a letter recanting his statements,” the source told SaharaReporters. “He’s done with medication and only uses eye drops now, but they won’t release him.”

The Forced Letter of Retraction

SpringNewsNG obtained a copy of the retraction letter allegedly written under duress, in which Isah reversed all previous statements implicating Seyi Tinubu and apologized to the Tinubu family and federal officials. The letter claims Isah was “misled by political opportunists” and that he never met Seyi Tinubu in Lagos or Abuja.

“I wish to categorically state that everything I said in that video was based on wrong information… I was misled,” the letter reads. “I hereby apologize to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, and the Minister of Youths and Sports.”

Background: Allegations of Bribery, Assault, and Blackmail

Before his detention, Isah made explosive allegations during a student address and in an interview with SaharaReporters. He claimed Seyi Tinubu attempted to bribe him with ₦100 million to secure NANS support for his father’s government. Upon refusing, Isah said he was kidnapped, beaten, and filmed naked, and later forced to falsely announce his resignation as NANS president.

“They told me that if I refused, they would release my naked video. Even if they killed me, Seyi Tinubu would cover it up,” Isah alleged.

He further described being assaulted by rival NANS member Ladoja Olusola, stating, “Ladoja kicked me in the face. My eyes are bloodshot, and I fear I may lose my sight.”

Isah said a brain scan was conducted after being struck with bottles and a machete, adding, “They’re still after my life, and nothing is being done to arrest them because they’re protected.”

A Crisis Within NANS

Isah criticized the chaotic inauguration, saying it was poorly organized and infiltrated by cultists and political thugs, accusing Seyi Tinubu’s camp of trying to manipulate NANS leadership for political gain.

“Seyi Tinubu is a very bad example for Nigerian youth. If he ever becomes governor of Lagos, it will be a disaster,” Isah said. “They beat me, filmed me naked, and threatened to kill me if I didn’t cooperate.”

He also alleged that senior government officials—including a Special Assistant to the President on Student Affairs—had access to his assault video, which he says was used to threaten him into silence.

Ongoing Human Rights Concerns

Isah’s detention under medical pretenses, combined with the alleged coercion and blackmail, has raised serious human rights and press freedom concerns. Activists and students are now calling for an independent investigation and Isah’s immediate release.