Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of IPOB, has recently written a formal letter to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), expressing a strong fear that his life is in danger and that he could die suddenly while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
His major concern is that he is receiving dishonest and insufficient medical care. Kanu claims he is dealing with multiple serious health issues, including a life-threatening lack of potassium, as well as problems with his liver, kidneys, and prostate.
He also reports suffering from constant symptoms like frequent nosebleeds, fainting spells, severe chest pains, and swollen feet. Crucially, he states he has tinnitus—a constant ringing in his ears—that prevents him from sleeping.
He warns that this lack of sleep, combined with high blood pressure and other organ strain, puts him at risk of a stroke or sudden death. Kanu has openly accused DSS doctors of falsifying his medical records, alleging they claimed his potassium levels were normal when they were dangerously low.
He is asking the NMA to investigate this manipulation, protect the independent doctor who helped stabilize his condition, and release the findings of any recent medical assessment. In response to his health concerns, a Federal High Court in Abuja has stepped in and ordered the NMA President to create an independent panel of medical experts.
The panel's job is to check Kanu's health, determine if he is fit to stand trial, and assess whether the medical facilities at the DSS detention centre are adequate for his condition.