From Molly Kilete, Abuja
Reports claiming that Nnmadi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is being treated poorly in custody has been described as fake news and a ploy to get him out of detention, security sources said.
Top security sources also described reports making the rounds that Kanu was poisoned in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as a ruse to stir public sympathy for his freedom.
The media has been awash in recent times with allegations by his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, that Kanu is being denied access to his doctors, thus, leading to the deterioration of his health.
But a security source, who would not want to be mentioned in print, said it was false and aimed to tarnish the image of the Service, which has always maintained its standard operating procedures.
The source hinted that the IPOB leader, besides having access to his doctors, was treated with utmost care to his needs.
The source said: “He has his old health condition like every other person, but, as we speak, he is hale and hearty. He is even given the food of his choice.”
The source further said that “whatever he asks for is provided for him, and he is well taken care of.
“He seems to be fed up with being in detention and the entire story flying is just a plot to see that he is released from the custody of the Service.”
Further investigations also revealed that Kanu asked his brother, Emmanuel, to stop making public statements, so they are not misconstrued as his position or that of his group. This was the view of some security sources who reacted to the story that Kanu’s health was deteriorating in detention and needed his doctors to attend to him.
IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, had insisted, last week, that Kanu was sick and his deteriorating health was not political.
IPOB maintained that its leader, Kanu was dying, adding that his worsening health status was real.
However, investigations revealed that Kanu is currently being taken care off by the best medical personnel of the DSS and external doctor whenever the need arises.