BREAKING: DSS Finally Grants Factional NANS President Access To Family After SaharaReporters' Report, Promises Imminent Release

Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), has finally allowed the family of the detained National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Atiku Abubakar Isah, to see him following a report by SaharaReporters that drew attention to his continued detention.

A family source who spoke to SaharaReporters on Tuesday confirmed that while their efforts to see Isah on Monday were unsuccessful, they were granted access on Tuesday after human rights lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, intervened.

"Barrister Deji Adeyanju called and told us that we could now see Isah," the source said.

 "He also asked Isah’s wife to call the DSS to confirm. The DSS responded and requested her name so they could allow us through the gate."

The source further confirmed that Isah’s wife, accompanied by a driver, a relative, and her baby, was finally able to see the student leader.

"Isah's brother, who was with us yesterday (Monday), left last night because he didn’t think we would be allowed in today. But thankfully, we got in," he added.

According to the source, Isah’s wife reported that he was in good health and that DSS officials assured her he would be released soon.

On Monday, SaharaReporters reported that the DSS had denied access to Isah, amid growing concerns about his worsening health condition.

Despite repeated pleas, Isah’s wife, infant child, and other family members were barred from seeing him at the DSS headquarters in Abuja on Monday, a family source told SaharaReporters.

According to the source, officials had initially requested that the family submit a formal letter to request visitation, which they promptly did.

“We submitted the letter as directed and waited for several hours outside the facility,” the source said.

“But we were not allowed to see him or even enter the premises.”

The continued denial of access has raised fears about Isah’s health and the conditions of his detention.

The source explained that Adeyanju tried to speak with the DSS Director of Operations, but the request was not approved.

The family source told SaharaReporters that they eventually left the DSS headquarters on Monday without seeing Isah.

The source said Atiku’s wife called one of the DSS officers to inform them that she was present, but the officer told her to wait for approval before they could go inside or see her brother.

However, all their efforts were in vain.

Isah has been at the centre of a major controversy involving Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, and the DSS.

Isah had alleged that he was offered ₦100 million by Seyi Tinubu to step down from his position. After refusing the alleged bribe, he said he was abducted, stripped naked, and brutally beaten in the presence of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

He alleged that a rival NANS faction, reportedly backed by Seyi Tinubu, physically assaulted him, leading to severe injuries.

He has been detained by the DSS for over a month without charges.

On May 14, 2025, Isah filed a ₦38.3 billion lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing the DSS, NTA, and Seyi Tinubu of violating his fundamental human rights. The lawsuit seeks damages for kidnapping, unlawful detention, physical assault, and defamation.

He is demanding an injunction to prevent further threats to his life and an order for his immediate release.