The Indigenous People of Baifra (IPOB) has warned against any planned surgery on its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu in Department of State Services (DSS) detention.
Kanu has remained in solitary confinement in the custody of the secret police since his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021.
He was recently recommended for ear surgery by the medical unit of the DSS.
However, IPOB in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, opposed any plan to carry out surgery on its leader, saying the group was uncomfortable with such arrangement.
According to the separatist group, any planned surgical procedure on Kanu in DSS custody is “ill-conceived”.
The group called for the release of Kanu to his personal physician, who would perform the surgery.
“IPOB completely rejects any ill-concieved surgery on our leader, Mazi Nnamdi KANU, who has been illegally and unconstitutionally detained in DSS dungeon for two years without charge.
“We reiterate that he should be released to his personal physicians who will perform the prescribed ear surgery on him.
“We want to draw the attention of IPOB worldwide, all lovers of freedom and lovers of Biafra on the dangerous plans to neutralize Mazi Nnamdi Kanu through ear surgery by the enemies on DSS medical team,” the group said.
The group said the authorities’ insistence on performing the “ill-conceived surgery” on Kanu in DSS custody could be interpreted as a veiled plot to eliminate him.
‘”That’s why they refused to allow Mazi Nnamdi KANU access to his personal and trusted physicians,” the statement read in part.
“Therefore, we reject any DSS or Nigeria Government-sponsored surgery on our leader while he is still being detained illegally in solitary confinement.
“It’s true that our leader requires urgent ear surgery from the injury the Nigeria agents inflicted on him when he was kidnapped and tortured in Kenya however, such surgery will not take place while he is still inside DSS dungeon.
“What will happen if he develops any medical complications during or after the surgery in the detention facilities?” IPOB’s statement said.
The group said it would not back down in its demand for Kanu’s release as ordered by the courts.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be unconditionally released as the courts ordered or released on medical grounds to attend to his health.
“If Nigerian DSS could not find a qualified ENT doctor to handle Buhari’s ear infections during his eight years in office, how come DSS suddenly has qualified ENT doctors in their team to carry out ear surgery on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu?
“IPOB is capable of taking our leader to any part of the world for the best medical services.
“There are serious indications that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will not make it alive if he goes into any operation under the enemies supervision,” the group further said.