The State Security Service (SSS) has confirmed the arrest and subsequent release of Dr. Martin Aghaji, the personal physician to jailed IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, while denying claims that the action was connected to Kanu or the separatist group.

Dr. Aghaji, a retired professor, was arrested at his residence in Enugu State on Friday.

Kanu's lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, disclosed the arrest in a series of posts on X, alleging that the doctor was targeted because of a medical report he prepared on Kanu. According to Ejimakor, the report allegedly contradicted an earlier medical assessment by the SSS.

"This is the height of the official harassment he has been facing since he issued the medical report that did not comport with the SSS's medical report on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu," the lawyer wrote.

Ejimakor also claimed security operatives arrived at the doctor's residence around 3:00 a.m., forced their way into the property after damaging the gate, and fired gunshots during the operation before taking him to Lagos.

However, the SSS rejected claims that the arrest was related to Kanu or IPOB.

Speaking on Monday, SSS spokesperson Favour Dozie confirmed that the agency arrested Dr. Aghaji but said the operation had no connection with the detained IPOB leader.

"He was arrested, but not in connection with Nnamdi Kanu," Dozie said, declining to disclose further details because investigations are ongoing.

She added that Kanu's conviction and imprisonment made suggestions of a connection unfounded.

The SSS also confirmed that Dr. Aghaji was granted administrative bail on Sunday and released into the custody of the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Lagos after providing a suitable surety.

Earlier on Sunday, Ejimakor announced the doctor's release, attributing it to the intervention of the NMA and other professional bodies.

Meanwhile, an SSS official, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the doctor's arrest stemmed from alleged financial transactions with individuals described as high-profile criminal suspects currently under investigation.

According to the official, investigators confronted Dr. Aghaji with details of the transactions during questioning, insisting the case was unrelated to Kanu or IPOB.

The agency has not released further information on the investigation.