National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has been accused of orchestrating the arrest and prolonged detention of a woman, Maryam Bukar, over an alleged romantic video call with President Bola Tinubu.
In a video circulating online, a man speaking in Hausa alleged that Bukar was arrested after a recording of a video call between her and the president surfaced. He claimed that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, was involved in the events leading to her arrest and continued detention.
According to the allegations, Bukar has been in custody for about 10 months following the controversy. The man claimed that she was initially detained for four days for allegedly recording the call, during which the president was said to have been dressed in traditional attire and engaged in what he described as a romantic-style conversation.
He further alleged that Ribadu later acknowledged the arrest lacked legal basis and urged Bukar to remain calm, promising financial assistance to her and her family — a promise he claimed was not fulfilled.
The source stated that after her initial release, a petition was filed concerning the matter. He alleged that Bukar was subsequently re-arrested on June 20 and has remained in detention for more than eight months.
The case has reportedly been lodged with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
In a petition dated April 4, 2025, addressed to the NHRC by Dattijo Multi-Purpose Business General Contract, Merchandise Trading, Supply & Distribution of General Goods, Ribadu was accused of issuing an illegal order to military personnel to arrest Bukar unlawfully. The petition was also copied to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The petition alleged that Bukar, described as a close associate of the president, was forcefully arrested after screen recordings of her video call with the president were reportedly forwarded to the NSA by Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari. It further claimed that upon review, the content of the video did not contain any offensive or unlawful material.
The petitioner also alleged that the manner of her arrest damaged her reputation within her community and left her experiencing anxiety and psychological distress.
In a letter dated April 14, 2025, the NHRC acknowledged receipt of the complaint, assigning it reference number C/2025/CPR/746/HQ. The acknowledgment, signed on behalf of the Executive Secretary, stated that the matter had been registered and was receiving attention, with the petitioner to be informed of the outcome in due course.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Office of the National Security Adviser regarding the allegations.