EXCLUSIVE: Detained NANS President Atiku Isah Declares Hunger Protest In DSS Custody Over Seyi Tinubu Bribery Allegation, Others

Atiku Abubakar Isah, the embattled President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has declared a hunger protest while in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), following weeks of detention without formal charges and alleged physical assault.

Isah, who was reportedly abducted in broad daylight by suspected thugs led by Seyi Tinubu-backed NANS faction president, Ladoja Olusola, has told security personnel he is no longer taking the food or medication provided by the agency.

A DSS insider, speaking anonymously to the SaharaReporters, 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 protest comes amid growing allegations that the DSS is attempting to silence Isah over his public outcry regarding the alleged embezzlement of N71 billion meant for the newly launched student loan scheme.

Another source familiar with the situation, who spoke to SaharaReporters, revealed that Isah had been subjected to beatings in detention in a bid to intimidate him.

"If they think beating him will make him silent over the N71 billion naira missing from the student's loan, they are making a mistake," another privy to his situation source said.

Isah reportedly believes that his life is in danger and fears the DSS may poison him as a last resort to silence his activism.

“Their next plan is to poison the food which they provide for him before releasing him,” the source added.

On Sunday, SaharaReporters previously reported that Isah had been in DSS custody for nearly two weeks after his arrest.

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.

SaharaReporters previously reported that Isha 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 told SaharaReporters on Sunday.