Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, President-Elect of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has called for immediate police protection after a shocking abduction incident he claims was orchestrated by political rivals.
According to a petition addressed to the Nigeria Police Force by his legal counsel, A.O. Ochogwu, Esq., Comrade Atiku was kidnapped at gunpoint on April 15, shortly after leaving the Force Criminal Intelligence Department (FCID), where he had gone to give a statement in support of a prior petition. The letter, dated April 14 and titled “Request for Police Protection for Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah,” outlines a chilling series of threats, harassment, and physical assault allegedly perpetrated by rival aspirant Olusola Ladoja and his associates.
“Following the victory of our client, one Olusola Ladoja who aspired to contest the election became aggrieved and has resorted to acts of intimidation, harassment, and issuance of threats,” the petition read.
The most disturbing detail revealed in the petition is Atiku’s alleged abduction. He was reportedly blindfolded, beaten, and forced to renounce his presidency in a coerced statement aired on national television by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
“Our client was thoroughly beaten, harassed, dehumanised and was only released at midnight of the same day when he agreed under duress to issue a statement renouncing his position as NANS President on national television,” Ochogwu stated.
In a separate press statement made available to journalists, Atiku alleged that the abduction was carried out under the directive of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, and Olusola Ladoja. He further accused the Managing Director of NTA of colluding with the perpetrators to broadcast the forced renunciation.
“I was beaten, subjected to the most cruel and dehumanising treatments, my clothes torn to shreds and stripped naked,” Atiku narrated. “I was thereafter hurriedly packaged and, in connivance with the Managing Director of NTA, brought to the station where I was forced to release an involuntary statement.”
Atiku, who emerged winner at the 125th NANS Convention on February 27, claims he has written multiple petitions to the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies, but no concrete actions have been taken.
“Our client now lives in fear of his life from his abductors and their paid assailants,” the petition emphasized. “We request for police protection for our client to avoid any harm or mischief to his life or property.”
Despite his ordeal, Comrade Atiku expressed profound gratitude to Nigerian students, the media, and all well-meaning citizens who condemned the abduction and demanded his release. He reaffirmed his commitment to lead NANS fearlessly and serve the interests of Nigerian students.
“I will continue to exercise this franchise freely given to me to lead this association in this moment in our history, and no amount of intimidation or threats will make us capitulate to the whims and caprices of the enemies,” he declared.
As tensions continue to rise within the student political sphere, observers and civil society organisations are calling on the police and government to ensure justice is served and that student leaders are protected from political violence.
