Inside DSS: How Atiku Isah Saw a Different Side of Nnamdi Kanu

Atiku Isah, the factional leader of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has shared his experiences while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and his interactions with Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Isah was arrested on April 15, 2025, following allegations he made against Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. He had claimed that Seyi Tinubu and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, offered him a N100 million bribe in Lagos to promote the president—a claim Seyi Tinubu has since denied.

Held in the DSS facility in Abuja, where Kanu is also detained, Isah was released on June 26, 2025, after protests led by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore.

Reflecting on his time in detention, Isah revealed how he came to meet Kanu after being encouraged by another inmate. He recounted:

“I went close to him and introduced myself. He said, ‘No, I know you,’ and then shared advice, encouraging me to stay strong. That led to discussions that lasted about two months. In detention, you don’t have much else to do but sit and talk, so I got to know him very well.”

Before meeting Kanu, Isah admitted he had seen the IPOB leader as a divisive figure. But his perspective changed during their time together:

“I had thought he was a wicked man who wanted to divide the country. I am a patriotic Nigerian, so that was my mindset. But after spending time with him in detention, I realized he has support across different ethnic groups in the DSS facility. Many view him as a leader—more supporters inside than outside.”

Isah also highlighted Kanu’s character, describing him as a courageous and compassionate leader who genuinely cares about young Nigerians:

“Being in detention was a transformative experience. Everyone in the facility respects him. He is strong, fearless, and always ready to help those in need.”

Isah’s revelations offer a rare glimpse into the dynamics inside Nigeria’s most secure detention facilities and the relationships formed under extraordinary circumstances.