Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, is facing a deteriorating health situation while in the custody of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS). His legal team has written to the World Medical Association (WMA) seeking intervention in his medical care. The letter, dated October 3 2025 and addressed to Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu, President of the WMA, alleges that Kanu has been denied proper medical care for four years since his arrest in Kenya and subsequent rendition to Nigeria in 2021.
According to the letter, Kanu’s health problems stem from his incarceration in solitary confinement, including life‑threatening conditions such as tinnitus‑induced sleep deprivation. The correspondence claims that the DSS has manipulated Kanu’s medical records and requests that the WMA investigate these allegations. It also asks the WMA to protect independent medical practitioners, notably Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, who has been providing critical care to Kanu.
The letter provides a detailed background of Kanu’s case, recounting his arrest in Kenya, repatriation to Nigeria, and continued detention by the DSS. It describes the “gruesome” conditions of his confinement: being chained to a wall, denied food and water, and subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Independent physicians, including Dr. Cfine and Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji, have reportedly been barred from accessing Kanu or intimidated into silence.
The legal team further requests that the WMA guarantee the immediate release of the Nigeria Medical Association’s report on Kanu’s health, which a Federal High Court ordered to be filed within four days. The letter emphasizes the urgent need for medical attention to address Kanu’s life‑threatening conditions—tinnitus and sleep deprivation—that could lead to stroke, collapse, or sudden death if left untreated.
The situation raises broader concerns about the treatment of detainees in Nigeria and underscores the need for international organizations to ensure that medical ethics and patient rights are respected. The WMA’s response to the letter is awaited as the case continues to unfold. The Nigerian government has faced criticism for its handling of Kanu’s detention, and the international community is closely monitoring developments. The outcome has significant implications for human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria, and a prompt resolution is necessary to prevent further deterioration of Kanu’s health.
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