By Obinna Madu
Amnesty International has alleged widespread human rights violations at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Owerri, Imo State, popularly known as “Tiger Base.”
The allegations were contained in an investigative report presented in Enugu by the organisation’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi. The report, titled Tiger Base of Atrocities: Human Rights Violations by Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Owerri, covers findings between May 2025 and February 2026.
According to Amnesty, the unit was involved in prolonged arbitrary detention, torture, rape, extortion, enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings.
It claimed that many detainees were held for weeks or months without charge and were neither allowed access to lawyers nor brought before a court.
The report further alleged that detainees were subjected to beatings, waterboarding, hanging, starvation and other forms of ill-treatment.
It also cited cases of alleged deaths in custody, including Okechukwu Ogbedagu and Japhet Njoku.
Amnesty said it interviewed 23 people, including 14 women, two lawyers and two human rights defenders in the course of its investigation.
Sanusi stated that the organisation wrote to the police authorities in December to share its findings.
In response, the police reportedly acknowledged the allegations and indicated that the Inspector-General of Police had ordered a comprehensive audit of the unit.
Stakeholders at the presentation, including traditional rulers, lawyers and civil society groups, called for an independent probe, prosecution of any officers found culpable and compensation for victims.
They also urged strict compliance with the Police Act and broader reforms to address alleged abuses within law enforcement.
