EXCLUSIVE: DSS Accused Of Starving NANS President Atiku Isah Detained On Orders From Rival Faction Backed By Seyi Tinubu

The Department of State Services (DSS) has been accused of inhuman treatment of the embattled President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Abubakar Isah, including denying him food and essential medication while in custody.  

Sources within the DSS told SaharaReporters that the directive to arrest and detain Isah came from Olusola Ladoja, who claims to be the NANS President and is backed by a faction allegedly supported by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.

According to sources, Ladoja wrote a formal letter to the DSS requesting Isah’s arrest.

On April 30, 2025, in a statement signed by Ladoja, he claimed that Isah had continued to parade himself as NANS President despite not participating in the most recent convention that produced new leadership.

He described Isah’s actions as impersonation and a violation of the association's constitution, warning that such acts should be met with the full weight of legal and moral consequences.

Speaking to SaharaReporters on Friday, several family sources alleged that DSS operatives were treating Isah like a criminal even though no charges had been filed against him.

A family member said the DSS is not providing him with proper food, and he is being mistreated and treated like a prisoner. When they saw him, he appeared unkempt, hungry, and physically weak.

He said he had not eaten all day.

Another source added that Isah was only allowed to speak to DSS officials whenever his family visited.

The source explained that whenever the family visits, it’s the only opportunity Isah has to speak with the officers. The families noted that they have seen him, in their presence, begging one of the officers to get him something to eat.

They told him to write down his request, but once the family left, the officers returned him to the cell and never provided what he asked for.

The family also expressed concern that Isah appeared to be developing an illness due to the harsh conditions and lack of medical attention.

The source said, "They are not giving him proper food. They are hurting him there. They are treating him like a prisoner. Isah is hungry, and they haven’t given him anything to eat. They’ve been physically abusing him. When you see him, you’ll pity him — he looks rough.

"He only gets the chance to speak to an official whenever his family visits. That’s the only opportunity he has. During those visits, he is often seen begging a DSS officer to get him something to eat. They tell him to write it down in the presence of his family.

"However, after he writes it down and the family leaves, they take him back to his cell, and he still doesn’t receive the things he requested. When we got there, he hadn’t eaten anything since morning. He said, ‘I think I’m developing an illness.’

"Meanwhile, they keep telling the family not to worry — that Isah will be released soon — yet he remains in detention, without food or medication."

On June 3, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that Nigeria’s secret police, DSS, had finally allowed Isah’s family to see him following a report by SaharaReporters that drew attention to his continued detention.

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.

The DSS has detained him for over a month without charges.