Atiku Abubakar Isah, the factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), is being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) following allegations that he was offered a N100 million bribe by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to support the government’s agenda.

Isah had also accused Seyi Tinubu’s faction within NANS of orchestrating an assault against him. He specifically named Ladoja Olusola—the Seyi Tinubu-backed rival factional president—as the individual who allegedly kicked him in the face during the incident.

SaharaReporters has exclusively learned that Isah has been in DSS custody since last Tuesday. His arrest came shortly after a disrupted inauguration ceremony in which he was declared president—a process marred by attacks from government-sponsored thugs. Sources said Isah was subsequently coerced into writing a statement retracting his allegations against Seyi Tinubu.

According to SaharaReporters’ sources, Isah is currently being held at the DSS hospital on Airport Road, Abuja, under the pretence of receiving medical treatment. However, insiders allege he is being blackmailed and pressured to withdraw his claims.

One DSS officer who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity said Isah was forced to pose for a photo with a gun placed in his hand, intended to be used as blackmail.

“He was compelled to write the retraction letter as a condition for his release,” the source added. “He was arrested at the inauguration venue, and his phone was seized. Even though his condition has improved—he has completed his medication and now only uses eye drops—he remains in detention.”

SaharaReporters also obtained a copy of the letter allegedly signed by Isah under duress, in which he disavows all previous statements linking Seyi Tinubu to the alleged bribe offer and physical assault.

The letter reads: I wish to draw the attention of the general public to a trending video which I featured. In the video, I claimed that son of the President, Mr Seyi' Tinubu and the Minister of Youths and Sport, Ayodele Olawande, invited me to Lagos. I further stated that the Minister and I hugged, and thereafter offered me #100,000,000 to support President Bola Ahmad Tinubu but that I rejected the offer.

In the video, I also claimed that, for what they considered my stubbornness to reject their #100,000,000, I was on the 15th of April, 2025 abducted, stripped naked and thoroughly beaten up right before the MD of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to whom I had gone to purportedly announcement that I was stepping down from the race of the Presidency of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)

I clearly stated that I later clarified that I didn't step down, to which I was reportedly warned that Mr Seyi' Tinubu could order my killing and thereafter instruct the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to bury the matter. I among other things, claimed that Seyi' Tinubu led thugs to the venue of my Inauguration. These are false as I later found out from the source who fed me.

I wish to categorically state that everything I said in that video was based on the wrong information at my disposal. I was misled by political opportunists to destroy the character of Seyi' Tinubu and his father, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu. At no time did I see Seyi Tinubu in Lagos or at The Wells Carlton Hotel, Abuja. I have since discovered, to my utmost pain and regret that some persons were out to use me for cheap political gains.

Consequently, I hereby use this medium to apologize to President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, his son Mr Seyi' Tinubu;the Minister of Youths and Sports, as well as others who may have been offended by my utterance. I also apologize to my fellow Comrades, and to as many as are looking up to me for direction. I failed you and am deeply sorry. To err, they say, is human and to forgive, divine. I hope you will all have the grace to forgive me.

Thank you immensely.

Background

Isah recently made the explosive allegation while addressing his colleagues, recounting events that preceded the violent disruption of his inauguration ceremony in Abuja.

According to him, Seyi Tinubu approached him with a N100 million offer aimed at influencing his stance within the student body.

Isah said he rejected the offer, describing it as a blatant attempt to manipulate the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

His refusal was met with what he termed "a violent response" when thugs linked to Seyi Tinubu disrupted the inauguration event held on Tuesday.

He explained that he was invited to Lagos to meet with Seyi Tinubu and the Minister of Youth Development (Ayodele Olawande). Upon meeting, Atiku said, "The Minister for Youth, when he saw me, hugged me in Lagos. We talked, and I was to be offered N100 million. But the thing is, it's not all about money. There are things which I stand for.

“You cannot ask me to begin to promote a president who has not done something for me to say he has done it. If he does something good, I will promote him. We will support him as the president and commander-in-chief. But where he is, you cannot say I should keep quiet."

He further stated that when he refused to accept the money, they planned his abduction.

"I was abducted on the 15th of April. I was stripped naked, beaten seriously in collaboration with the MD of NTA. The MD of NTA was our package to make an involuntary statement that I have renounced my position as NANS president. I did that to gain my freedom, but immediately, I released a press statement that I was forced under duress. Because I was naked, I was beaten. They claimed they would share the video," Isah explained.

He continued, "They told me that nothing would happen if they shared the video, and even if they killed me, Seyi Tinubu would order a cover-up. Ladoja, who was involved, said he would instruct the Inspector General of Police to cover it up and that if the police didn't comply, he would go."

Atiku added that despite the threats, he remained determined.

"I made it clear that even if I am shot, I will still come to this hall. The inauguration proceeded, and I was announced as president. I want Nigerians to know what has happened and that we will not give up. Seyi Tinubu can do anything he wants, but we are determined,” he said.

He said the inauguration was poorly organised and rushed.

"You can see the organisation was not correct. The MC was told to start without any protocol," he said, stressing the importance of fighting against cultism and criminal elements within the student body.

"We will fight the cultists. We will take away the cultists and touts from NANS. They are just a bunch of criminals. When politicians want to do anything, they recruit them, and that is what we have come to fight."

Isah condemned Seyi Tinubu as a bad example to Nigerian youth and warned that his potential rise to power in Lagos would be detrimental to the country.

He said, "Seyi Tinubu is a very bad example to the Nigerian youth. The worst thing that can happen to Nigeria will be for him to become the governor of Lagos State. He has no shame. He has no character. I have been struck naked. He has my video on his phone. If we were in a country where things work, they would trace that video on his phone, and he should be prosecuted."

He added that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Affairs also possessed the video.

"The secretary, when we went to submit a letter to the Minister of Defence, said he saw my naked video while they were beating me. It is also on his phone," Atiku said

In a recent interview with SaharaReporters, Isah raised the alarm over his deteriorating health, stating that he feared he might lose his eyesight following the brutal assault allegedly carried out by a rival NANS faction reportedly backed by Seyi Tinubu.

“Ladoja Olusola hit me with his leg directly on my face. My eyes are reddish now, and I’m afraid I might lose my sight,” he said.

He further claimed that the attackers were emboldened by their connection to Seyi Tinubu.

“There’s nothing being done to arrest them. Seyi had given them the confidence that nobody can arrest them, even if they kill me. They’re still after my life,” he said.

Describing the extent of the injuries he sustained, the student leader revealed that he had undergone a brain scan following the incident.

“I went for a brain test and I’m waiting for the results. They hit me badly on my head with bottles and a machete,” he said.