The Imo State Police Command has strongly pushed back against grave allegations of widespread human rights abuses, including torture and extra-judicial killings, reportedly being perpetrated against detainees at its Anti-Kidnapping Unit, known locally as ‘Tiger Base.’
The Command specifically dismissed a widely circulated video claiming that officers of the unit were engaging in human torture, organ trafficking, and the unlawful killing of suspects.
In a statement issued late Wednesday night, Henry Okoye, the Command’s spokesperson and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), declared the viral video content to be completely false and unfounded, designed solely to mislead the public. Okoye clarified unequivocally that ‘Tiger Base’ is a legitimate tactical facility, established as an integral formation of the Nigeria Police Force with a clear mandate to combat armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and other violent crimes within the state.
“The Command categorically refutes these claims as false, unfounded, and intended to mislead the public,” the statement, as reported by Zoyols Blog, read. “The Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) is a legitimate tactical formation of the Nigeria Police Force mandated to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and other violent crimes. It is not an illegal detention facility or a slaughterhouse, and all suspects are handled in line with the law.”
Okoye went on to highlight the unit’s documented successes, emphasizing that ‘Tiger Base’ has played a crucial role in dismantling several notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicates. He asserted that the unit’s operations have significantly contributed to the improved peace and security that citizens of Imo State now enjoy.
The Command views the circulating narratives as part of a deliberate smear campaign orchestrated by criminal elements whose activities have been severely curtailed by ongoing security operations. The statement stressed that there is no credible evidence supporting the accusations of organ harvesting, torture, or extrajudicial killings.
The Police also strongly condemned the attempts to inject ethnic sentiment into routine policing activities by specifically targeting the Officer-in-Charge of the unit. They reminded the public that the Nigeria Police Force remains a national institution where officers are deployed to serve across all regions of the country. Okoye noted that ‘Tiger Base’ operates in seamless synergy with other security agencies and community policing structures, which helps ensure transparency and accountability in its operations.
To further reinforce oversight of the unit and address public concerns, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has directed the immediate establishment of a Human Rights Desk within the Anti-Kidnapping Unit itself. The statement emphasized that this desk is intended to ensure transparency and actively safeguard the rights of all persons handled by the unit.
The Commissioner urged all residents of Imo to completely disregard the false and alarmist claims. He advised citizens with genuine complaints of inhuman acts to direct them promptly to the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), the X-Squad, or the newly established Human Rights Desk Unit domiciled at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Finally, the Police Public Relations Officer issued a stern caution to those circulating the misleading videos, warning them to be mindful of the provisions of the Cybercrime Act of 2015. “Individuals circulating false information to incite fear or undermine security efforts are warned to desist, as such acts violate the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015,” he warned.
