The family of a Nigerian university student who has been allegedly detained by security services based at the presidency and held without trial, have appealed to First Lady Aisha Buhari to forgive their son.
Aminu Adamu Mohammed’s parents said they believe that their son was arrested because of comments that he allegedly made in June about Mrs Buhari’s appearance.
According to reports, the student commented on a picture of the president’s wife accusing her of getting fat on public funds.
The Nigerian branch of Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the 23-year-old, who it says has been unlawfully detained.
Neither the first lady nor the president’s office have commented on the reports of his detention.
Mr Mohammed’s parents said it took several days before they learned of his disappearance.
Hi father said he received a short phone call from his son, who said he was in Abuja after the security forces picked him up for something that he posted on Twitter about Mrs Buhari.
The student’s uncle, Shehu Baba Azare, told the BBC that the family hoped he would be freed soon.
In a direct appeal to Mrs Buhari he said: “First lady, please forgive him and let him go seeing as you are a mother – this is what we are hoping for.”