The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally petitioned the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), accusing doctors attached to the Department of State Services (DSS) of falsifying his medical records and exposing him to life-threatening neglect.
The petition, dated September 22, 2025, was signed from DSS custody and submitted to the media through Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor. Copies were also forwarded to the Federal High Court and the DSS Director-General.
Kanu Details Ordeal
Kanu recounted his controversial arrest in Kenya in 2021 and subsequent transfer to Nigeria, which drew international condemnation. He stated that his health deteriorated severely during and after his detention, citing falsified test results and negligent care in DSS custody.
“For eight days in Kenya, I was chained by the leg to a wall in a pitch-dark room. I was denied food, water, and medication. By the time I was handed over to Nigerian authorities, my body was already failing,” Kanu wrote.
He added that upon arrival in Nigeria, tests revealed life-threatening potassium deficiency, but subsequent DSS-appointed doctors allegedly tampered with the results to conceal his condition.
Petition to NMA: “My Life Is at Risk”
Titled “Grave Concerns Regarding My Medical Treatment and Health Management in DSS Custody,” the petition urges the NMA to release an independent medical assessment ordered by a Federal High Court. Kanu credited Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji with intervening to stabilize his health, noting ongoing challenges with kidney, liver, and prostate issues, as well as tinnitus.
Kanu warned that continued obstruction of independent medical care could lead to stroke, collapse, or sudden death, and called on the NMA to investigate alleged violations of medical ethics within the DSS, protect independent doctors, and establish oversight for detainee healthcare in Nigeria.
The petition underscores broader concerns about detainee welfare, medical ethics, and human rights in Nigeria, raising questions about transparency and accountability within state security agencies.