Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has accused Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, and Ladoja Olusola, a rival faction leader of being behind his abduction by gun-wielding thugs in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to a press statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, signed by Comrade Atiku himself, he was beaten and subjected to dehumanising treatment.
The NANS president said he was also forced to record an involuntary statement at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) studio.
Atiku claimed Seyi Tinubu declared him an enemy after his overwhelming election as NANS president at the 125th convention of the association.
Atiku stated that he had written several petitions to the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies about the threats to his life but nothing was done.
The statement partly read, “…I was abducted in Abuja by gun wielding thugs on the instructions of Seyi Tinubu and Ladoja Olusola. I was beaten, subjected to the most cruel and dehumanising treatments, my clothes torn to shreds and stripped naked.
“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,” he said.
It added, “Since my overwhelming election as the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), at the 125th convention of the association, Seyi Tinubu has in cohorts with Ladoja, and for whatever reasons best known to him, declared me an enemy, and my life has constantly been under threats.
“I have written several petitions to the Inspector General of Police and other relevant security agencies on this matter.”
Despite the ordeal, he expressed gratitude to Nigerian students, the media, and peace-loving Nigerians who condemned his abduction.
“I wish to convey my gratitude to the thousands of Nigerian students all over the federation who stood in our defence and called for our immediate and unconditional release. I also wish to appreciate the media and peace loving Nigerians who added their voices in condemning my illegal abduction,” he said.
Atiku assured that he would continue to lead NANS without fear or intimidation, committed to serving the best 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.
“We remain even more resolute and committed to serving the best interests of the overwhelming majority of Nigerian students without fear nor favour,” he declared.
