Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has raised alarm over what he described as life-threatening health challenges he is facing in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a letter of complaint and appeal addressed to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kanu disclosed that he is battling tinnitus, sleep deprivation, hypertension, and several organ-related conditions, warning that neglect of his medical needs could result in stroke, collapse, or sudden death.
According to him, tinnitus—the constant “chirping” sound in his ears—has become one of the gravest threats to his survival, aggravating his hypertension and robbing him of sleep. “It undermines my body’s natural capacity to heal,” he said, noting that DSS doctors once suggested draining fluid from his inner ear but abandoned the plan due to the risk of permanent hearing loss.
Kanu alleged that the DSS doctor, Nasiru Mohammed, has been falsifying his medical records, particularly potassium levels, despite persistent symptoms including nosebleeds, fainting spells, chest pains, headaches, and swollen feet.
He also accused the DSS of intimidating his longtime personal physician, Dr. Cfine, and later Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, who reportedly documented multiple systemic health problems including liver, kidney, pancreas, bladder, prostate, and white matter disease, in addition to sleep apnea and tinnitus.
Kanu stated that under Dr. Cfine’s care, his potassium levels modestly improved, reducing episodes of nosebleeds, fainting, and swelling, but claimed the DSS barred the physician’s access and silenced him. He credited Prof. Aghaji’s intervention with preventing his health from deteriorating beyond recovery.
“It is no exaggeration to say that without Professor Aghaji’s intervention, my health would have deteriorated beyond recovery. Yet, instead of supporting him, the DSS has subjected him to the same pattern of intimidation,” Kanu wrote.
The IPOB leader urged the NMA to intervene and demand proper medical attention, warning that continued neglect amounts to reckless endangerment of his life.
