A medical team constituted by the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to assess the health condition of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declared that his ailment is not life-threatening.
The NMA panel was set up following growing public concern over Kanu’s health while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). There had been claims by his lawyers and family members that he was suffering from a deteriorating medical condition that required urgent attention outside the DSS facility.
In its report released on Wednesday, the NMA team said after a thorough examination, it found that Kanu’s condition could be managed with proper medical care and was not as severe as had been portrayed.
“The medical assessment conducted by our team revealed that while Mr. Kanu does have certain health complaints, none of them poses an immediate or life-threatening risk,” the team’s lead doctor stated. “He requires consistent monitoring, adherence to prescribed medication, and regular medical reviews, which can be adequately provided within the current system.”
The association emphasized that the examination was carried out independently and in accordance with professional ethics, without interference from security agencies.
The report is expected to put to rest months of speculation surrounding Kanu’s health, which had fueled agitation among his supporters and renewed calls for his release on medical grounds.
Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in DSS custody since his re-arrest in 2021, is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism. His legal team has repeatedly asked the Federal Government to allow him access to specialized medical treatment abroad, a request that has now been complicated by the latest NMA findings.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has welcomed the report, saying it vindicates its position that Kanu has been receiving adequate medical care in detention.
IPOB, however, maintains that the health of its leader remains a concern, insisting that he should be released unconditionally to enable him seek independent medical attention.
The NMA reiterated that it would continue to monitor developments and ensure that ethical medical standards are upheld in the treatment of detainees and other individuals in government custody.
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