• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

Bukar's ordeal followed the circulation of a video call reportedly of a romantic nature involving her and Nigeria's president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has secured the release of a woman identified as Maryam Bukar, who was allegedly detained for months in a secret dungeon said to be under the control of Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. Bukar's ordeal followed the circulation of a video call reportedly of a romantic nature involving her and Nigeria's president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Adeyanju confirmed the development of her release to SaharaReporters on Friday evening, revealing that Maryam had finally regained her freedom after what he described as a prolonged and unlawful detention in a clandestine facility allegedly linked to the defence minister. Speaking shortly after securing her release, the lawyer disclosed that Maryam was already in his custody and safe. "I can confirm to you that Maryam has been released. She is currently with me in my office," Adeyanju told SaharaReporters. The development comes after months of controversy and speculation surrounding the alleged abduction and secret detention of Maryam Bukar, a woman who had been widely alleged in some political circles to have a romantic connection with President Tinubu. SaharaReporters had earlier reported disturbing details about the circumstances of her arrest and detention, which raised serious concerns about abuse of power and violations of fundamental human rights. Initial reports had suggested that the Office of the National Security Adviser might have been responsible for the operation that led to her disappearance. However, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told SaharaReporters that the alleged detention was actually orchestrated by Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State who currently serves as Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence. According to the source, Matawalle allegedly arranged for Maryam's arrest through a special military squad sometime last year after the controversial video call began circulating in some quarters. "She was picked up quietly and taken to a secret location where she was kept for months," the source told SaharaReporters. The source further alleged that Maryam was held without any formal charges and denied access to legal representation throughout the period of her detention. Lawyers representing the woman had reportedly complained that she was kept in custody for months without due process, raising serious concerns about the legality of the operation and the involvement of top military authorities. Further information obtained by SaharaReporters indicated that officials of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), operating under the supervision of Matawalle and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye, were allegedly involved in the continued detention. Sources told SaharaReporters that Maryam was among more than 100 individuals -- mostly military officers -- who were arrested in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Tinubu. However, according to the source, those detained, including Maryam, were not allowed access to their parents, families, or legal representatives for several months. The secrecy surrounding the detentions and the alleged use of a dungeon facility has raised fresh concerns about human rights violations and abuse of state power within Nigeria's security apparatus. Meanwhile, Maryam has now regained her freedom through the intervention of Adeyanju, questions remain over the legality of her arrest, the conditions of her detention, and the role played by senior government and military officials in the operation. Source: https://saharareporters.com/2026/03/06/lawyer-adeyanju-secures-release-woman-allegedly-detained-secret-dungeon-minister