The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday released the detained factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Abubakar Isah, after spending close to two months in custody.
Isah, whose prolonged detention had sparked public outrage and legal action, was released in Abuja and handed over to his family and legal team. This follows reports earlier in the day that the DSS had failed to comply with court-ordered bail conditions despite completing all documentation.
The student leader, who was granted bail on Tuesday by a Magistrate Court in Abuja to the tune of ₦5 million and one surety in like sum, had been facing charges of inciting public disturbance and impersonating a public officer. His legal counsel, Marshal Abubakar of Falana & Falana Chambers, confirmed that the DSS accused him of breaching the peace and misrepresenting himself as the president of NANS.
Isah had earlier appeared in court dressed in black, reportedly still nursing injuries he claimed were inflicted during an attack by a rival NANS faction. His arrest and detention became controversial after he alleged that Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, offered him a ₦100 million bribe to step down from the NANS leadership.
According to Isah, his rejection of the offer led to his abduction, physical assault, and humiliation in the presence of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), all allegedly coordinated by a rival faction leader, Olusola Ladoja, with support from Seyi Tinubu.
On May 14, 2025, Isah filed a ₦38.3 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the DSS, NTA, and Seyi Tinubu, alleging kidnapping, unlawful detention, assault, and defamation.
