A POLICE squad set up to fight kidnapping and armed robbery in Imo State has allegedly turned into a centre for extrajudicial killings, torture and organised extortion, Amnesty International said in a report released on Wednesday.
The outfit, widely known as ‘Tiger Base,’ operates under the Imo State Police Command in Owerri, according to the findings. In the document entitled ‘Tiger Base of Atrocities: Human Rights Violations by Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit Owerri,’ the organisation alleged that detainees are frequently kept in degrading conditions, forced to confess to crimes and, in certain instances, executed or made to disappear.
Amnesty International Nigeria’s Director, Mr Isa Sanusi, speaking through the group’s Social Media and Communications Officer, Mr Michael Christian, described the unit as emblematic of unchecked abuse.
“Tiger Base has become synonymous with police operating outside the law and exploiting their authority for personal gain through extortion,” Sanusi said.
“Those arrested and detained by this unit are subjected to torture and ill-treatment; they never come out intact. Many are traumatised for life. Despite the horrific violations they have endured, there has been no accountability to date.”
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The report claimed that numerous suspects were detained for weeks or even months without formal charges or arraignment before a court. Ex-detainees also alleged that confessions were routinely extracted under duress.
One survivor narrated: “They arrested me, claiming I bought stolen items. I told them I knew nothing about it. They locked me up and seized my phone.
“About three weeks later, an officer came to take my statement, yet I remained in detention…. They later said the complainant valued her loss at N14 million (US$9,500) but agreed to accept N4.5m (US$3,100). They told me if I wanted freedom, my family had to pay.”
Other former detainees recounted being flogged with iron rods and electric cables, slashed with knives and machetes, and hung with ropes. Amnesty alleged that such coerced statements were then used to extort money before granting bail.
The report further described an alleged illegal Point of Sale operation within the facility, where relatives were compelled to withdraw and transfer funds on-site to secure the release of loved ones.
In certain cases, detainees were reportedly removed from their cells and shot. “The other guy took him out, we heard gunshots. We thought they had killed him, but later that night he was brought back. We saw his leg – they had shot him. He stayed in the cell with bullet wounds; nobody cared,” a survivor told Amnesty.
The organisation painted a grim picture of overcrowding, alleging that more than 70 inmates were packed into cells measuring roughly 12 by 12 feet.
According to the report, the cells lack windows and contain only one overflowing toilet, forcing detainees to eat, sleep and defecate in the same cramped area.
A former detainee said, “If you survive Cell 1, it is only by God’s grace. Many people disappeared after being moved there; no one saw them again.”
Another described how officials handled medical crises: “People would shout, ‘someone is dying!’ but they would keep the gate locked. Even when they bring you out, they beat you to check if you’re pretending. If you recover, they throw you back inside.”
The report cited several alleged deaths in custody, including that of Okechukwu Ogbedagu in 2022. Amnesty said an autopsy it reviewed indicated he died from asphyxiation.
Three youth leaders who handed him to police were later charged with murder but were freed after about six months.
In a separate incident, Japhet Njoku, a security guard accused of theft, reportedly died in detention around May 5, 2025. Amnesty stated that police informed his family he was beaten to death in his cell, adding that officers repeatedly failed to appear for a court-ordered autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Mr Sanusi argued that the alleged violations point to deeper structural problems within Nigeria’s policing system. “The atrocities committed by the Tiger Base police unit are yet another sign of the Nigerian authorities’ failure to end widespread torture, extrajudicial execution, extortion and other crimes by law enforcement.
“It appears the police have not learnt lessons from the #EndSARS protests. Instead of accountability, impunity has emboldened corrupt officers,” he said.
He called for an independent, impartial and effective probe into the allegations, including scrutiny of the unit’s commander and personnel.
“Under Nigeria’s constitution and international and regional human rights treaties, authorities are obliged to investigate violations uncovered at Tiger Base, bring suspected perpetrators to justice and ensure victims receive adequate reparation,” Mr Sanusi added.
Amnesty maintained that although the unit was created to combat kidnapping in Imo State, it has allegedly strayed from its mandate, becoming linked to unlawful arrests, arbitrary detention, torture, extortion, enforced disappearances and corruption.
Group asks governor to disband unit
Reacting to the report, a civic group, Oganihu, urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to order an immediate investigation and disband the unit.
The group warned that failure to act could fuel public outrage and erode trust in government institutions.
In a petition signed by Prof. Chijioke Uwasomba and Dr. Chido Onumah, Oganihu demanded urgent intervention, investigation and dissolution of the anti-kidnapping squad.
It called for decisive steps to restore the rule of law and affirm that no state agency operates above it. Oganihu said research conducted between 2021 and 2025 allegedly revealed systematic torture, cruel and degrading treatment, extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, prolonged detention without trial, mass extortion, sexual violence and gender-based abuse.
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The group sought a public condemnation of torture and unlawful detention practices in Imo State and the creation of an independent, time-bound judicial commission of inquiry into Tiger Base. It also demanded the immediate suspension and prosecution of implicated officers where culpability is established.
According to Oganihu, about 200 people may have died or disappeared in custody. It listed Japhet Njoku, Magnus Ejiogu, Ekene Francis Elemuwa, Sunday and Calista Ifedi, and Mmesoma Chukwunyere among alleged victims.
The group lamented that families were often not formally notified of deaths, while some bodies were withheld or unaccounted for.
It further alleged that detainees were kept for extended periods without court appearance, with families pressured to pay between N200,000 and N20m for release.
Citing the case of Nmesoma Chukwunyere, a nursing trainee allegedly held for months without charge despite insufficient evidence, Oganihu said the pattern reflected coercive detention and manipulation of statements.
“Your Excellency, these disturbing reports of grave violations are said to be occurring under your watch. If left unaddressed, they will deepen public distrust and require urgent executive action.
“Multiple petitions have reportedly been submitted to the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission,” the group stated.
Responding to similar allegations in December 2025, the Imo State Police Command dismissed claims that the unit was a ‘slaughter house’ as baseless and misleading.
Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, rejected the accusations and expressed concern over a viral social media post circulating the claims.
“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 slaughterhouse, and all suspects are treated in line with the law.
“The unit has dismantled several notorious kidnapping and armed robbery syndicates, contributing to improved peace and security in Imo State,” he said.
Okoye added that there was no credible evidence to substantiate claims of torture, organ harvesting or extrajudicial killings, describing the allegations as part of a smear campaign by criminal elements targeted by ongoing security operations.
