The source alleged that the DSS staged the circumstances leading to the charge by photographing Isah with a pistol planted by his abductors.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to charge Atiku Abubakar Isah, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), for illegal possession of firearms, a source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters on Monday.

According to the source, the move stems from an incident during the NANS inauguration where Isah was attacked.

The source alleged that the DSS staged the circumstances leading to the charge by photographing Isah with a pistol planted by his abductors.

“They came and snapped him with the pistol they had arranged with his abductors while he was attacked during the NANS inauguration,” the source said. “They want to charge him for illegal possession of firearms.”

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that Atiku Isah had declared a hunger protest while in DSS custody after nearly two weeks of detention without formal charges and alleged physical assault.

Sources told SaharaReporters on Monday that Isah, following his abduction in broad daylight by suspected thugs led by Seyi Tinubu-backed NANS faction president, Ladoja Olusola, has told DSS personnel he is no longer taking the food or medication provided by the agency.

A DSS insider, speaking anonymously to the SaharaReporters, confirmed the development, saying, "The last meal he took from the DSS on Sunday was breakfast. He has just informed DSS officers that he's no longer taking any drugs or food from them. All he wants is to go home."

His protest comes amid growing allegations that the DSS is attempting to silence Isah over his public outcry regarding the alleged embezzlement of N71 billion meant for the newly launched student loan scheme.

Another source familiar with the situation, who spoke to SaharaReporters, revealed that Isah had been subjected to beatings in detention in a bid to intimidate him.

"If they think beating him will make him silent over the N71 billion naira missing from the student's loan, they are making a mistake," another privy to his situation source said.

Isah reportedly believes that his life is in danger and fears the DSS may poison him as a last resort to silence his activism.

“Their next plan is to poison the food which they provide for him before releasing him,” the source added.

On Sunday, SaharaReporters previously reported that Isah had been in DSS custody for nearly two weeks after his arrest.

Last week, a security source told SaharaReporters that Isah was forced to pose for a photo with a gun placed in his hand, intended to be used as blackmail.

His detention followed allegations that Seyi Tinubu—the son of President Bola Tinubu—offered him a N100 million bribe to abandon his presidential ambition in favour of a government-backed candidate.

He also alleged that Seyi Tinubu’s faction within NANS orchestrated a physical assault against him, naming Ladoja Olusola—his rival and the government’s preferred candidate—as the person who kicked him in the face during the altercation.

SaharaReporters previously reported that Isha was detained on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, shortly after his inauguration as NANS president—a ceremony marred by attacks allegedly carried out by government-sponsored thugs.

He was subsequently taken to a DSS hospital on Airport Road in Abuja, where he was detained and coerced into writing a retraction of his allegations against Seyi Tinubu.

“Atiku Isah is still in DSS custody. His wife came around to see him, but he was denied permission to go with her,” a source told SaharaReporters on Sunday.