The embattled President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Abubakar Isah, has been moved from the Department of State Services (DSS) clinic to the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.
A family member, who is familiar with the development, confirmed to SaharaReporters on Monday that DSS operatives arrived at the clinic and whisked the student leader away, leaving behind his personal belongings.
“I left the clinic yesterday (on Sunday) with his clothes that I needed to sew and wash,” the source said.
“On my way to the DSS clinic this morning, he called again and told me to hurry. When I got there, his bags were already packed and he was dressed in white. When I got inside, he told me the DSS officers said they were taking him to their headquarters and that I should take his bags to my place. We’re afraid; we don’t know what they plan to do him.”
The family member, who appeared visibly shaken, raised concerns over possible foul play and psychological pressure being exerted on the student leader.
“I asked if they were going to hurt him or something, because I’m young and don’t know anything about politics. He said he believes they want to blackmail him because they gave him a gun to hold and then took pictures of him,” the family source said.
“Those thugs did that to him in the presence of the DSS personnel, who came to get him the day he was attacked at The Wells Carlton Hotel.”
Atiku Isah has been at the centre of intense controversy within NANS following internal disagreements over leadership legitimacy.
Isah had earlier cried out over assault by thugs, led by Seyi Tinubu-backed NANS faction, led by Ladoja Olusola.
However, sources privy to the matter said that the situation has taken a disturbing turn.
“They are trying to silence him. He has been vocal about the corruption in student politics, and some powerful people don’t want that,” a source said.
Earlier, the media reported that the DSS was set to charge Isah for illegal possession of firearms.
According to sources, the DSS staged the circumstances leading to the charge by photographing Isah with a pistol planted by his abductors.
“They came and snapped him with the pistol they had arranged with his abductors while he was attacked during the NANS inauguration,” the source said. “They want to charge him for illegal possession of firearms.”
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that Isah had declared a hunger protest while in DSS custody after nearly two weeks of detention without formal charges and alleged physical assault.
Sources told SaharaReporters on Monday that Isah, following his abduction in broad daylight by suspected thugs led by Ladoja Olusola, had told DSS personnel he was no longer taking the food or medication provided by the agency.
A DSS insider, speaking anonymously, confirmed the development, saying, “The last meal he took from the DSS on Sunday was breakfast. He has just informed DSS officers that he’s no longer taking any drugs or food from them. All he wants is to go home.”
His detention followed allegations that Seyi Tinubu—the son of President Bola Tinubu—offered him a N100 million bribe to abandon his presidential ambition in favour of a government-backed candidate.
He also alleged that Seyi Tinubu’s faction within NANS orchestrated a physical assault against him, naming Ladoja Olusola—his rival and the government’s preferred candidate—as the person who kicked him in the face during the altercation.
The media previously reported that Isah was detained on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, shortly after his inauguration as NANS president—a ceremony marred by attacks allegedly carried out by government-sponsored thugs.
He was subsequently taken to a DSS hospital on Airport Road in Abuja, where he was detained and coerced into writing a retraction of his allegations against Seyi Tinubu.
“Atiku Isah is still in DSS custody. His wife came around to see him, but he was denied permission to go with her,” a source revealed on Sunday.
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