A new controversy has emerged involving the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, following allegations that he orchestrated the arrest and prolonged detention of a young woman, Maryam Bukar, over a private video call with President Bola Tinubu.
In a video online, a man speaking in Hausa claimed that the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, was involved in Bukar’s detention.
According to the source, Bukar has been held for nearly ten months following the circulation of the video call.
“Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is being accused of arresting this innocent woman unlawfully. But what happened?” the man said.
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He alleged that Bukar had shown him a recording of the video call, describing it as “romantic-style” but not explicit.
“She did not record Tinubu naked; he was wearing a jellabiya, and it was a romantic-style conversation,” he said, clarifying that a jellabiya is a traditional long, loose-fitting garment.
The source claimed the video may have sparked tension within the Presidential household. “We do not know whether Tinubu intended to make her a kind of ‘second First Lady,’ which may be why Oluremi is allegedly jealous,” he alleged.
According to the man, Ribadu initially detained Bukar for four days but reportedly admitted to her that the arrest lacked legal basis.
“She called me; he sat down with her and told her to be patient, that her arrest was unlawful. He promised to give her and her family some money, but he did not fulfill that promise,” he said.
The source further alleged that after Bukar’s release, Ribadu had her re-arrested in June 2025, leading to more than eight months of ongoing detention. “For over eight months now, she has been in detention. Her case has been registered with the National Human Rights Commission,” he said, calling for the NSA to intervene.
A petition dated April 4, 2025, submitted by DATTIJO Multi-Purpose Business General Contract, Merchandise Trading, Supply & Distribution of General Goods, was addressed to the National Human Rights Commission and copied to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The petition alleges that Ribadu ordered military personnel to unlawfully arrest Bukar, claiming the commando-style operation damaged her reputation and caused her anxiety, depression, and psychological trauma.
The National Human Rights Commission acknowledged the complaint on April 14, 2025, assigning it reference number C/2025/CPR/746/HQ. The acknowledgment letter, signed by Faith Okeosisi, stated:
“The complaint has been registered as C/2025/CPR/746/HQ and it is receiving attention. You shall be informed of the outcome of our investigation on the matter in due course.”
