A cloud of fear hangs over the people of Imo State, particularly those who have encountered the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, widely known as Tiger Base Police.

Survivors of the unit’s detention recount horrifying experiences, describing their ordeal as akin to “walking through the valley of the shadow of death.”

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Many former detainees refuse to speak, fearing rearrest or retaliation. However, those who have come forward reveal disturbing details of alleged torture, extortion, and extrajudicial killings, according to a report done by Juliana Francis and facilitated by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC).

Disturbing Accounts

Chinonso, one of the few brave survivors, shared her harrowing experience: “I was detained for three months. My brother repeatedly tried to bail me out, but the police told him that they wouldn’t release me until I confessed. I didn’t know what they wanted me to confess to.”

She continued: “I was locked up in a room without ventilation. The heat was too much, and most of us in detention had rashes all over our bodies. There were women I met in the cell, and even though I spent three months there, I still left them behind.”

Chinonso was arrested in 2024 after her phone was stolen while charging.

“They said my stolen phone and SIM had to do with a murder case,” she recalled.

“I was not allowed to write a statement for three months. My mother, a widow, wrote a petition to a human rights organisation, and that was when my case turned around.”

Another victim, Reverend Onyekwere Elemuwa, lost his 34-year-old nephew, Ekene Francis Elemuwa, in Tiger Base custody.

“Ekene was hale and healthy when he was arrested, but he was later brought out in a body bag,” Onyekwere said.

He detailed the events: “On the 28th of August 2023, at about 8:00 pm, Ekene went out with his friend, Ikemba. They were taken to Tiger Base.

“The following day, Ekene asked to contact his family, but the police refused. On September 4, he died. His cellmates insisted that it was his corpse that the police carried out.”

Onyekwere further lamented: “The police seized his phone and did not allow him to contact his family. They did not arraign him in court. We still do not know his offence or why he was arrested and detained.”

Ekene’s family only learned of his death through a former detainee who had been released. When they approached the police, they were initially denied information.

“Inspector Moses, Ekene’s IPO, refused to answer questions about his case file or offence. Even now, we do not know where his corpse is,” Onyekwere stated.

Despite petitions to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the family still has no clear answers.

“The police said he became sick in detention, was taken to the hospital, and then died,” Onyekwere recounted.

“But when I asked if he died inside the police cell, the police vehicle, or the hospital, they did not answer.”

Investigations reveal that Tiger Base Police continue to operate with impunity, violating both national and international human rights laws.

Survivors recount stories of starvation, forced confessions, and threats to keep silent. Many remain too afraid to share their stories, fearing that speaking out will cost them their lives.

Opara was bewildered when he found himself at Tiger Base Police Station over a mere landlord-tenant dispute.

He said, “I never imagined that a civil matter like this would land me in a notorious police unit known for handling violent crimes.

“My lawyer was already handling the case in court, so why was I being arrested?”

Upon arrival at Tiger Base, Opara was immediately thrown into a filthy cell without being informed of any charges. He spent three nights in detention, during which he witnessed horrific acts of brutality.

“People with gunshot wounds were writhing in pain. Some detainees whispered to me that they had been in custody for months without any court hearing. Others recounted tales of torture and forced confessions,” he narrated.

‘Police Extortion’

Opara recalled how officers repeatedly pressured him to pay a hefty sum for his release.

“At first, they asked for N500,000, but when I told them I didn’t have such an amount of money, they reduced it to N300,000.

“Eventually, after several negotiations, my family managed to secure my release with N200,000,” he said.

According to Opara, the way police officers at Tiger Base operate is a direct violation of human rights.

“I saw innocent people suffering for crimes they did not commit,” he lamented.

“Some were arrested simply because they couldn’t afford bail, and they remained there indefinitely. If a person is declared wanted, rather than investigate the matter, they go after his relatives. It’s a lawless place,” he lamented.

According to the report, further investigations revealed that several individuals arrested at Tiger Base had simply vanished without a trace. Families of some detainees have spent months searching for their loved ones, only to be met with silence from the authorities.

A relative of one such detainee, Mr. Chukwudi, narrated his ordeal.

“My younger brother was picked up on his way back from work. For weeks, we searched every police station in Owerri until someone whispered to us that he was taken to Tiger Base.

“When we got there, the officers denied having him in their custody. To this day, we don’t know if he is alive or dead,” he said, tears streaming down his face.

A human rights lawyer, Barrister Nduka, explained that Tiger Base operates like a rogue unit.

“It is an illegal detention facility where people are held incommunicado. Many detainees are tortured until they confess to crimes they never committed. Some do not make it out alive,” he asserted.

The horrifying accounts from former detainees, families, and activists have sparked renewed calls for urgent reforms in the Nigeria Police Force. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Commission, have condemned the extrajudicial killings, torture, and extortion rampant at Tiger Base.

Barrister Nduka emphasised the need for immediate action.

“The Nigerian government must dismantle Tiger Base and prosecute officers involved in human rights violations. A legal system should uphold justice, not oppress innocent citizens,” he stated.

As the pressure mounts, the big question remains: will the Nigerian authorities take decisive action to shut down Tiger Base and hold those responsible accountable? For now, victims like Opara and countless others continue to live with the trauma inflicted upon them by the very institution meant to protect them.

The legal implications of these actions by Tiger Base Police Personnel are profound. Human rights advocates argue that the continued detention and alleged torture of individuals at the Tiger Base facility violate multiple provisions of Nigerian and international law.

Legal experts have pointed out that arbitrary arrests, detentions without trial, and excessive use of force are all breaches of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions. Section 34(1) of the Nigerian Constitution states that “every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person,” which includes the right not to be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment. Furthermore, Section 35(1) guarantees the right to personal liberty, making unlawful detentions a clear violation.

Despite these legal safeguards, multiple testimonies from victims indicate that Tiger Base Police Personnel operate with impunity, using their position to detain and abuse individuals without accountability. Civil society groups have repeatedly called for the disbandment of this unit, citing its numerous human rights abuses and unlawful detention practices.

Meanwhile, RULAAC has documented numerous cases of alleged extortion, illegal detentions, and torture attributed to Tiger Base Police.

RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, stated: “There is a culture of impunity that allows these atrocities to persist. The Nigerian police have an obligation to uphold the law, not violate it. The government must act swiftly to investigate these allegations and hold those responsible accountable.”

In light of these revelations, several legal practitioners and human rights organisations have called for an independent investigation into the activities of Tiger Base Police Personnel. They argue that a transparent probe is necessary to determine the extent of human rights violations and to ensure justice for the victims.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also weighed in on the matter, emphasising the need for police reforms. The NBA’s Human Rights Committee has demanded that all detainees held at Tiger Base without charge be immediately released or presented before a competent court.

International bodies such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also expressed concerns over the reports emerging from Tiger Base. They have urged the Nigerian government to comply with its international human rights obligations, including the prohibition of torture and unlawful detentions.

As public outcry grows, stakeholders are urging the federal government to take decisive action. The call for accountability extends beyond Tiger Base to the entire policing system in Nigeria, which has faced longstanding accusations of corruption and abuse of power.

For victims like Mr. Promise and Mrs. Excel Ihekweme, justice remains elusive. However, with sustained advocacy and legal pressure, there is hope that reforms can be enacted to prevent further abuses and ensure that law enforcement agencies operate within the bounds of the law.

Victims and human rights organisations have accused the unit of unlawful detentions, extrajudicial killings, and torture, raising serious concerns over law enforcement practices in the region.

Families of victims have recounted harrowing experiences, with many claiming their loved ones were arrested without charge and never seen again. “We have been searching for my brother for over a year now,” one relative stated. “The police have refused to give us any information on his whereabouts.”

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have demanded urgent government intervention, insisting that the Tiger Base unit operates with impunity.

“There must be accountability for these violations,” an Amnesty spokesperson said. “The Nigerian authorities must ensure justice for victims and their families.”

Eyewitnesses have also shared accounts of severe torture methods allegedly used within the detention facility. One former detainee, who was released after months in custody, described being subjected to beatings and electric shocks. “They wanted me to confess to a crime I didn’t commit,” he recalled.

Legal practitioners in Rivers State have joined the outcry, calling for a thorough review of the unit’s operations. Barrister Chinedu Okeke, a human rights lawyer, argued that the lack of oversight has led to gross misconduct. “This unit has become a law unto itself. There must be reforms to prevent further abuses,” he said.

The Rivers State Police Command has denied the allegations, insisting that its officers operate within the bounds of the law.

“We take human rights seriously and will investigate any credible claims of misconduct,” a spokesperson stated. However, activists remain sceptical, pointing out that past allegations against the unit have not led to meaningful action.

Local activists have begun staging protests to demand justice for victims. On Monday, demonstrators gathered outside government offices, holding placards that read “End Police Brutality” and “Justice for the Missing.”

Amid growing pressure, lawmakers in the state assembly have called for a legislative probe into the Tiger Base operations. “The safety of our citizens is paramount. We cannot ignore these troubling reports,” one legislator stated.

With public anger rising, many Nigerians are calling on the federal government to step in. “If the state authorities fail to act, we will take our case to international bodies,” a victim’s family member warned.

The outcome of these calls for investigation remains uncertain, but the demands for justice continue to grow louder.

This report was supported by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre as part of its interventions in addressing insecurity in the southeast and its impact on human rights, civic space, and development.