The University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA) has condemned what it described as the unlawful arrest and detention of renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and former Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor M.A.C. Aghaji, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding a public apology, compensation and sanctions against officers involved.
In a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Queen Linda Agua-Onyekwelu, and National Secretary, Mr. Tony Chukwu, the association alleged that armed DSS operatives attached to the Enugu Command stormed Prof. Aghaji’s residence in Independence Layout, Enugu, at about 2:05 a.m. on July 3, 2026, in what it described as a “Gestapo-style” operation.
According to the association, about 30 armed operatives allegedly scaled the perimeter fence, breached the compound wall, forced open the main gate and damaged parts of the property before taking the 74-year-old professor into custody. UNAA claimed that Prof. Aghaji and his visiting daughter initially believed they were under attack by kidnappers and had contacted the police before the operatives forced their way into the house.
The association further alleged that the retired surgeon 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 formally charged or informed of any offence. It added that he was later released without explanation and allegedly had to make his own travel arrangements back to Enugu.
Describing the incident as a violation of the professor’s constitutional rights, UNAA argued that Prof. Aghaji was neither invited nor afforded due process as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. The association noted that the distinguished academic is the best graduating student of the University of Nigeria’s 1977 set, a consultant cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon who pioneered Nigeria’s first successful mitral and aortic valve replacement surgeries with mechanical valves, and the founding Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.
The alumni body demanded an immediate and unreserved public apology from the DSS, to be published in at least three national newspapers and aired on national television within seven days. It also called for an independent investigation into the actions of the DSS Enugu Command, disciplinary measures against any officers found culpable, adequate compensation for Prof. Aghaji, and assurances that similar incidents would not recur.
UNAA warned that it would pursue legal and other lawful avenues to ensure justice for the retired professor, insisting that the treatment meted out to him was an affront to the rule of law and the dignity of citizens. The DSS has yet to publicly respond to the allegations contained in the statement.
Please read full statement below:
PRESS RELEASE
UNAA DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR EMERITUS PROF. M.A.C. AGHAJI FAS, FACC
Subject: Condemnation of Gestapo-Style Raid and Unlawful Detention of a Distinguished Alumnus by the DSS
The University of Nigeria Alumni Association is outraged and condemns in the strongest terms the Gestapo-style invasion, arrest, and detention of our distinguished alumnus, Emeritus Professor M.A.C. Aghaji FAS, FACC, by personnel of the Department of State Services, DSS Enugu Command, in the early hours of 3rd July 2026.
THE FACTS AS REPORTED
1. At 2:05 AM, armed DSS operatives from the Enugu office forcibly invaded the private residence of Prof. Aghaji in Independence Layout, Enugu — a home his family has occupied peacefully for 30 years.
2. The operatives scaled fences, dug holes through the perimeter wall, bulldozed the main gate, and deployed approximately 30 armed men and two vehicles.
3. Prof. Aghaji, 74, and his visiting daughter, believing they were under attack by kidnappers or terrorists, barricaded themselves upstairs and called for police help. The operatives broke down doors and destroyed property, including television sets.
4. Without stating any charge, Prof. Aghaji was whisked away and detained first in a dirty cell in Enugu until Friday morning, then flown to the DSS Magodo office in Lagos.
5. On Sunday, 48+ hours later, the DSS offered no charge, no explanation, and only a verbal “we are sorry,” before abandoning him to buy his own ticket back to Enugu.
6. At no point was Prof. Aghaji invited, charged, or afforded due process as guaranteed by Sections 34, 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
WHO IS PROF. AGHAJI?
Emeritus Prof. M.A.C. Aghaji is a national treasure and pride of the University of Nigeria.
Best graduating student in 1977. Consultant Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon at UNTH for nearly 4 decades. Pioneer of Nigeria’s first successful mitral and aortic valve replacement surgeries with mechanical valves. Founding Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.
A man who has spent his life saving lives deserves honor, not humiliation.
UNAA’S DEMANDS
The University of Nigeria Alumni Association, representing over 300,000 alumni worldwide, hereby demands as follows:
1. Immediate and Unreserved Public Apology*: The Department of State Services must tender an open, unqualified apology to Prof. Aghaji. This apology shall be published prominently in *at least three national daily newspapers* and broadcast on national television within 7 days of this statement.
2. Full Investigation and Accountability*: The Director-General of the DSS must constitute an independent panel to investigate the Enugu Command. All officers involved in this unlawful raid must be identified, disciplined, and prosecuted where applicable.
3. Full restitution and adequate compensation* to Prof. Aghaji for unlawful detention, destruction of property, medical and psychological trauma, reputational damage, and all costs incurred.
4. Assurance of Non-Repetition*: The DSS must issue clear directives to all commands that senior citizens, public intellectuals, and law-abiding citizens shall not be subjected to nocturnal raids without due process and a warrant.
CONCLUSION
This was not an arrest. It was an assault on dignity, on due process, and on a man who gave his life to Nigeria.
If the DSS can treat a 74-year-old Emeritus Professor and former Vice Chancellor this way, then no Nigerian is safe.
UNAA will pursue every legal, diplomatic, and civic avenue until justice is done. We give the DSS 7 days to meet demand 1, and 21 days to commence action on demands 2-4.
Signed
For: University of Nigeria Alumni Association
Queen Linda Agua-Onyekwelu, PhD*
National President
Mr. Tony Chukwu
National Secretary
Date: 11th July 2026
