The Enugu State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is demanding answers from the DSS and police regarding the arrest of Prof. Martin Aghaji [1].

The confrontation between the medical body and security agencies highlights growing tensions over the treatment of high-profile professionals by state security apparatuses. If the detention of specialized medical staff continues without transparent justification, it could disrupt critical healthcare services in the region.

Prof. Martin Aghaji is an internationally acclaimed cardiothoracic surgeon [1]. The NMA said that it strongly condemned the arrest of the professor [1]. The association is now demanding answers from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident [1].

Medical professionals in Enugu State have expressed concern over the lack of communication from the authorities. The NMA has not provided specific details regarding the charges against Aghaji, but the organization said that the arrest of such a prominent surgeon requires a clear and lawful explanation [1].

Security agencies have not yet issued a formal public statement regarding the specific grounds for the arrest. The NMA continues to seek a resolution that ensures the surgeon's rights are respected, while demanding a full accounting of the legal basis for the detention [1].

“The Enugu NMA is demanding answers from the DSS and police”

The arrest of a specialized surgeon by the DSS and police signals a potential clash between state security interests and the professional autonomy of medical practitioners in Nigeria. Because cardiothoracic surgery is a highly specialized field, the detention of a lead practitioner can create an immediate void in critical care availability for patients in Enugu State.