Nigerian Students NANS Demand Release Of President Atiku Isah By DSS, Ask Hotel To Release Footage Of Violent Attack

In a statement released on Friday by the NANS Public Relations Officer, Comrade Orowole Eniola Owoyemi, the students body expressed deep concern over the continued detention of their leader and warned that critical organisational activities have been put on hold as a result

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has demanded the immediate release of its President, Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, by the Department of State Services (DSS) following his alleged abduction and detention after a brutal attack during the association’s inauguration ceremony in Abuja.Travel guides

In a statement released on Friday by the NANS Public Relations Officer, Comrade Orowole Eniola Owoyemi, the students body expressed deep concern over the continued detention of their leader and warned that critical organisational activities have been put on hold as a result.

“We are appealing that the DSS release our president to us for the continuation of the organisation’s activities, as we have so many issues to attend to,” the statement read.

According to NANS, Comrade Isah was first abducted on April 15, 2025, by a group of thugs allegedly affiliated with the Seyi Tinubu Students Association, led by one Olusola Oladoja.

They alleged that during this incident, he was stripped naked and forced under duress to grant an interview on NTA, renouncing his position as NANS president — a claim he later debunked upon regaining his freedom.

“On April 29, the formal inauguration of the NANS executive council took place at The Wells Carlton Hotel in Asokoro, Abuja, an event attended by dignitaries from across the country.

“However, the event reportedly descended into chaos following a last-minute attempt by hotel management to cancel the gathering, allegedly acting under orders from “above.”

“We had set the venue when the hotel management came to inform us that we could not hold our program there anymore because of an order from above,” Owoyemi stated.

“The manager claimed they had been instructed by the son of the President, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, to refund our money — which we refused — and they shut off all appliances in the hall. We proceeded anyway because our dignitaries were already on ground.”

It was gathered that shortly after the inauguration, while the guest speaker was addressing the gathering, armed assailants stormed the venue with cutlasses, axes, and guns.

“They started beating people, injured the president, stripped him naked again and took him away. Since then, we have had no access to him,” Owoyemi said.

According to NANS, Comrade Isah’s wife confirmed that his phones were confiscated by the DSS and he was barred from making calls or communicating with anyone.

“We do not know if this is for his safety or otherwise, but the uncertainty is unacceptable,” Owoyemi added.

NANS is also calling on the management of The Wells Carlton Hotel to release the CCTV footage from the premises on the day of the attack.

“We urge the management of The Wells Carlton Hotel Asokoro Abuja to release the CCTV footage of every activity that happened on that day within the hotel premises between 10am and 1pm so that we can identify the perpetrators of this heinous evil — or they will be forced to do so,” NANS added.

NANS has vowed to pursue all legal and peaceful avenues to secure the release of their president and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.