The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally written to President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), raising urgent concerns about his health and medical treatment while in Department of State Services (DSS) custody.
In a letter titled “Grave Concerns Regarding My Medical Treatment and Health Management in DSS Custody: Request for Urgent Intervention, Protection of Independent Practitioners, and Immediate Release of NMA Medical Assessment Report”, Kanu detailed the deterioration of his health since his arrest in Kenya and subsequent detention in Abuja. The letter was personally signed and copied to the Federal High Court (Attention: Justice James Omotosho) and the DSS Director-General.
The letter, obtained by The Telegraph on Wednesday via Kanu’s lawyer Aloy Ejimofor, outlines his ordeal, beginning with his violent abduction in Kenya. Kanu alleges being chained in a dark room without food, water, or medication for five days, suffering injuries and mistreatment, which worsened his health significantly.
He describes how his blood pressure was dangerously high upon medical assessment in Kenya, yet medical care was secretive and inadequate, with little explanation of treatments or tests. After being forcibly transferred to Nigeria, Kanu says his condition failed to improve, with dangerously low potassium levels detected, which were inconsistently managed by DSS-appointed doctors.
Kanu accuses Dr. Nasiru Mohammed, the DSS medical officer in charge, of falsifying test results and ignoring his worsening symptoms, including frequent nosebleeds, fainting, chest pains, headaches, and swollen feet.
“My personal physician, Dr. Cfine, was barred from access and intimidated into silence until Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji intervened,” Kanu states. He credits Professor Aghaji, a renowned surgeon, with saving his life by providing ethical, professional care that improved his potassium levels and alleviated some symptoms.
The letter highlights several ongoing health issues documented by Professor Aghaji, including liver, kidney, pancreas, bladder, and prostate problems, sleep apnea, white matter disease, and severe tinnitus causing debilitating sleep deprivation.
Kanu warns that untreated sleep deprivation combined with his other conditions places him at immediate risk of stroke, collapse, or sudden death.
He also calls for the immediate release of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) medical assessment report dated September 22, 2025, which the Federal High Court ordered to be filed within four days but has yet to be made public. Kanu fears delays may lead to the assembly of a biased panel, undermining the truth.
The letter condemns intimidation of independent doctors, lack of transparency in medical treatment, and neglect of life-threatening symptoms as serious violations of medical ethics and human rights.
In conclusion, Kanu appeals to the NMA to ensure the prompt release of the September 22 medical report to the court, protect Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji’s role as his independent physician without interference, investigate the conduct of Dr. Nasiru Mohammed and other DSS medical personnel, recognize and urgently address tinnitus and sleep deprivation as critical medical issues, and establish independent oversight to safeguard detainee medical care and patient rights.
Kanu closes by emphasizing the grave risks he continues to face and urging the NMA to act swiftly to preserve both his life and the integrity of Nigeria’s medical profession.
