The family of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has sounded the alarm over his critical health condition while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), raising urgent calls for medical intervention.
Kanu, who has been detained since 2021 following his extradition to Nigeria from Kenya, is reported to be in dire need of medical attention, particularly from a cardiologist, according to his family’s plea. They have implored President Bola Tinubu to intervene to prevent any potential tragedy in Kanu’s deteriorating health.
Despite efforts to secure his release on bail based on his worsening health, Kanu’s bail application was denied by Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday, exacerbating concerns about his well-being.
In a statement released on Saturday, Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, expressed distress over the news of his brother’s critical condition. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stressing that Kanu urgently requires access to specialized medical care to avert a major health crisis.
“We received distressing information this morning indicating that his condition has worsened. He has been denied access to his personal physicians, and the need for urgent medical attention, particularly from a cardiologist, cannot be overstated. It is imperative that he is not left to languish and potentially die in DSS custody,” the statement read.
The family also expressed disappointment in the political elites of the South-East for their perceived failure to advocate for Kanu’s release. They criticized the apparent indifference of these leaders toward Kanu’s plight, alleging that some individuals may be benefiting from his prolonged incarceration.
“It is disheartening that Kanu is being penalized for advocating for the freedom of Ndigbo, while the political leaders have seemingly abandoned him to his fate in DSS custody,” the family lamented.
As concerns grow over Kanu’s deteriorating health and the prolonged nature of his detention, calls for urgent intervention and concerted efforts to ensure his well-being and fair treatment in custody continue to mount.
