Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The family of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed fury and over the alleged refusal of the Department of the State Services, DSS, to grant Kanu’s personal physicians access to him.
Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, who spoke with Ikengaonline, explained that the team arrived following the recommendation of emergency ear surgery by the DSS, medical unit.
Prince Emmanuel said the team arrived the DSS headquarters and granted permission to see Kanu but was stopped midway as they made their way to his cell.
He expressed worry over the attitude of the secret police, alleging that the sudden change of mind by the DSS is making the family to suspect that Kanu’s life was in danger.
“We are worried and greatly disturbed about the way DSS is handling my brother’s health. Their medical unit recommended that Kanu’s personal physicians be allowed to examine him but today when the team arrived Abuja, and was given clearance to see him but midway they were stopped.
“I don’t know why they would be asked to stop. I’m afraid that Kanu may have been poisoned and that is why they don’t want his personal doctors to examine him.”
The family called on the international community to prevail on the Nigeria Government to comply with court judgments concerning Kanu.
He said he (Kanu) should not be denied his fundamental human rights or allowed to die in custody.
Recall that the medical unit of the secret police had about penultimate week, recommended urgent ear surgery for Kanu.
Kanu has remained in a solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the DSS since his “abduction in Kenya” and subsequent extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in June 2021.
Despite several court judgments as well as the United Nations Opinion that Kanu be unconditionally released and compensated, the Federal Government is yet to release him.
There have been clamour and appeals by eminent Nigerians and groups to free Kanu.
It is believed by many that his continued illegal detention is part of the reasons for the disturbing insecurity in the South-East geopolitical zone.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has severally explained that Kanu is not Nigeria’s problem but part of solution to many problems bedeviling the country.