The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed reports circulating online that it released Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from its custody.
In a statement dated Sunday, July 30, DSS said it only complied with a court order by granting Kanu access to his personal doctors.
Vanguard quoted a source close to the DSS describing the fuse on the internet as mere speculations, maintaining that Kanu is still very much with the security agency as he was only granted access to his personal doctors under the supervision of the Service.
Kanu was released on Saturday to meet with his personal physicians in an Abuja hospital outside the facility of the DSS.
Giving clarification, however, to the reports on the internet, the source said access to doctors for suspects in DSS custody is routine in line with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Service.
The source stressed that such access under the supervision of the personnel of the service is not only applicable to Kanu but every other suspect in DSS custody.
“Let it be known to all that Kanu’s access to his personal doctors is also in line with the order of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
It should also be noted that even before the order, the DSS had been giving access to medical services.
“Apart from being routine, Kanu was also granted access to his personal doctors in line with the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
“Reports that Kanu was released to see his personal doctors is baseless because the access granted him was under the supervision of the DSS.
“The DSS is an organization that believes in the rule of law and so, will continue to comply with orders of the court,
” the source said.