Our Reporter, Abuja
An Igbo civic group, Oganihu, has called on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to order the immediate investigation and disbandment of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, popularly known as “Tiger Base,” over what it described as a sustained pattern of grave human rights violations.
In a petition dated February 23, 2026, the group said it was acting “as concerned citizens under the banner of OGANIHU, a civic people-centered assembly for good governance in Igboland,” citing “years of documented advocacy and investigative reporting” on alleged abuses at the facility.
The petition, signed by Prof. Chijioke Uwasomba and Dr. Chido Onumah on behalf of the group, was copied to the National Human Rights Commission, the leadership of the National Assembly, the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission and the media.
Disturbing and consistent pattern of abuse
Oganihu alleged that between 2021 and 2025, documentation from “survivors, families, legal practitioners, journalists, and civil society investigators reveals a disturbing and consistent pattern of abuse at Tiger Base.”
The group listed alleged violations to include “systematic torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment; extrajudicial executions and deaths in custody; enforced disappearances; prolonged arbitrary detention without charge; large-scale extortion of detainees and their families; [and] sexual violence and gender-based abuse.”
It further claimed that “at least two hundred persons may have died or disappeared in custody within this period,” citing several named cases and alleging that in many instances families were not notified of deaths, while some bodies were “withheld or remain unaccounted for.”
Torture as routine practice
According to the petition, “survivor testimonies consistently describe torture as routine practice,” with allegations including “severe beatings, electric shocks, suspension by limbs, prolonged incommunicado detention, [and] denial of access to lawyers and family members.”
The group referenced the 2021 death of Linus Onyewuchi Anyanwu, who allegedly died in custody after being arrested alongside his pregnant daughter. It stated that the daughter, Melody Eberechi Anyanwu, was “reportedly four months pregnant at the time” and was “allegedly beaten severely, resulting in the loss of her pregnancy,” while her father died in detention.
“If established,” the petition said, “these facts constitute grave violations of constitutional and criminal law protections.”
ECOWAS Court judgment cited
Oganihu also raised allegations of sexual and gender-based abuse, including “sexual coercion of female relatives seeking bail, attempted rape of female detainees, forced domestic labour for officers, [and] prolonged detention without charge.”
The group cited the case of Gloria Okolie, noting that the ECOWAS Court of Justice found that she was subjected to unlawful detention and degrading treatment and awarded her compensation.
“This judgment demonstrates that at least in Ms. Okolie’s case, abuses were not merely alleged but judicially confirmed, highlighting systemic weaknesses in oversight, accountability, and the protection of detainee rights,” the petition stated.
Alleged extortion, obstruction
Oganihu further alleged that Tiger Base “appears to have operated as a parallel detention regime outside constitutional safeguards,” claiming that detainees were held for weeks or months without court appearance and that families were compelled to pay between ₦200,000 and ₦20 million to secure release.
The group said multiple petitions had been submitted to relevant authorities but that “there is no publicly known conclusive criminal investigation or prosecution arising from these complaints.” It also alleged that oversight actors were denied access to detention facilities.
Demands for urgent action
Describing the reports as “chilling,” the group told the governor: “These allegations, if left unaddressed, deepen public distrust and demand urgent executive attention.”
It urged Governor Uzodimma to “publicly condemn torture and unlawful detention practices in Imo State,” establish “an independent, time-bound judicial commission of inquiry into Tiger Base,” and ensure “immediate suspension, thorough investigation of officers implicated, and their diligent prosecution, where culpability is established.”
The petition also called for the release or proper charging of detainees held beyond constitutional limits, independent forensic audits of detention and morgue records, witness protection for survivors and families, and reparations for victims.
Warning that “Tiger Base has become emblematic of a deeper crisis in policing accountability,” Oganihu cautioned that “continued inaction risks escalating public anger and undermining confidence in government institutions.”
“The experience of #EndSARS demonstrates the grave consequences of allowing abusive police units to operate without oversight. Imo State must not repeat that trajectory,” the group stated, urging the governor to acknowledge receipt of the petition and inform the public of steps taken within 14 days.
