ABUJA — The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the immediate release of its President, Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, following what it described as his brutal abduction and continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The student body said the alleged arrest occurred shortly after a violent disruption of the association's executive inauguration ceremony in Abuja, which left its president injured and taken away by armed men.
In a statement released on Friday by NANS Public Relations Officer, Comrade Orowole Eniola Owoyemi, the association expressed grave concern over the fate of their leader, warning that the incident has thrown its national operations into disarray. According to the statement, all major organisational activities have been suspended pending the release of the president.
NANS said Comrade Isah was first abducted on April 15, 2025, by thugs allegedly affiliated with the Seyi Tinubu Students Association and led by one Olusola Oladoja. During that incident, Isah was reportedly stripped naked and forced, under duress, to grant an interview on national television renouncing his position as NANS president. He later recanted the statement after regaining his freedom.
The situation escalated on April 29 during the formal inauguration of the NANS executive council held at The Wells Carlton Hotel in Asokoro, Abuja. The event, which attracted dignitaries from across the country, reportedly descended into chaos following a last-minute attempt by hotel management to cancel the gathering.
NANS claims that the management told them the event had been called off due to "orders from above," allegedly from Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
Despite their objections and refusal to accept a refund, the hotel shut down all electrical appliances in the hall in an effort to halt proceedings. NANS, however, proceeded with the event since their invited guests had already arrived.
While the guest speaker was addressing the audience, the event was violently disrupted as armed attackers stormed the venue wielding cutlasses, axes, and guns. They assaulted several attendees, reportedly injured the president, stripped him naked once more, and abducted him from the scene.
Since then, NANS said they have had no contact with Comrade Isah. His wife, according to the association, confirmed that his mobile phones were seized and that he has been barred from making calls or communicating with anyone, raising fears over his well-being.
Owoyemi described the situation as deeply troubling and unacceptable, particularly as there has been no official communication or explanation from the DSS regarding the student's detention.
NANS is also demanding that The Wells Carlton Hotel release CCTV footage from the premises, particularly from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the day of the incident.
The association stated that this is crucial in identifying those responsible for the violence and abduction. They warned that failure by the hotel to comply would lead to legal action.
The student union has vowed to explore all legal and peaceful avenues to secure the release of their president and ensure that those behind the attack are brought to justice.
The growing controversy has sparked calls from civil society and student groups for an independent investigation into the incident and for the Nigerian government to clarify the role, if any, of state agents in the matter.