UNAA Condemns DSS Raid, Arrest of Emeritus Prof. Aghaji, Demands Justice

The University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA) has condemned what it described as the unlawful arrest and detention of Emeritus Professor M.A.C. Aghaji, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, allegedly by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a press release signed by the association’s National President, Dr. Queen Linda Agua-Onyekwelu, and National Secretary, Mr. Tony Chukwu, the association described the July 3 operation at Prof. Aghaji’s residence in Independence Layout, Enugu, as a “Gestapo-style invasion” that violated his constitutional rights and dignity.

According to the statement, about 30 armed DSS operatives allegedly stormed the 74-year-old professor’s residence around 2:05 a.m., scaled perimeter fences, breached the compound wall, forced open the main gate, and damaged property before taking him into custody.

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The association claimed that Prof. Aghaji and his visiting daughter initially believed they were under attack by kidnappers and barricaded themselves inside the house while seeking police assistance. It further alleged that the operatives broke into the residence, damaged household items, and arrested the professor without informing him of any offence.

UNAA also alleged that Prof. Aghaji was detained in Enugu before being flown to the DSS office in Magodo, Lagos, where he was reportedly held for more than 48 hours without being charged. The association claimed he was later released without explanation beyond a verbal apology and was left to arrange and pay for his return journey to Enugu.

Describing the incident as a violation of Sections 34, 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, the association maintained that Prof. Aghaji was neither invited for questioning nor afforded due process.

Highlighting his contributions to Nigeria’s medical and academic sectors, UNAA noted that Prof. Aghaji graduated as the best student of the University of Nigeria in 1977, served for nearly four decades as a consultant cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), pioneered Nigeria’s first successful mitral and aortic valve replacement surgeries using mechanical valves, and later became the founding Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.

The association demanded an immediate public apology from the DSS, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on national television within seven days. It also called for an independent investigation into the operation by the DSS Director-General, disciplinary action against officers found culpable, compensation for the alleged unlawful detention and destruction of property, and institutional reforms to prevent similar incidents.

“This was not an arrest. It was an assault on dignity, on due process, and on a man who gave his life to Nigeria,” the statement read.

UNAA warned that it would pursue legal, diplomatic and civic measures until justice is achieved, giving the DSS seven days to issue a public apology and 21 days to commence action on its other demands.

The Department of State Services had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of this report.