Police refute claims of torture, organ trafficking at Imo anti-kidnapping unit

File: Spokesperson, Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye

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The Imo State Police Command has refuted allegations claiming that its Anti-Kidnapping Unit, known by the operational call sign “Tiger Base,” is involved in torture, organ trafficking, and extrajudicial killings.

Recall that PUNCH reported in June that the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Service Commission and other relevant authorities, to disband the Tiger Base Police Unit in Imo.

The call reportedly came amid persistent reports of widespread human rights abuses, including torture, unlawful detention, extortion, and extrajudicial killings perpetrated by operatives of the squad.

In a press release posted on its official X account on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Okoye Henry, dismissed the viral claims as “false, unfounded, and intended to mislead the public.”

The statement partly 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.

“The unit has successfully dismantled several notorious kidnapping and armed robbery syndicates, contributing to the improved peace and security that Imolites enjoy today.”

The command stated that there is no credible evidence supporting the allegations.

It argued that the narratives are part of “a smear campaign by criminal elements seeking to undermine the ongoing security operations.”

“The Tiger Base operates in synergy with other security agencies and community policing structures, ensuring accountability and transparency,” the command said.

It also condemned what it described as the attempt to introduce ethnic sentiment into routine policing activities by targeting the Officer-in-Charge, reiterating that the Nigeria Police Force remains a national institution where officers serve across all regions.

The command noted that to strengthen oversight of the unit, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, directed the immediate establishment of a Human Rights Desk within the Anti-Kidnapping Unit itself.

The new desk is to ensure transparency and protect the rights of all individuals handled by the unit.

The commissioner urged the public to disregard the false claims and directed Imo residents with genuine complaints to utilise the established channels: the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), the XSquad, or the newly established Human Rights Desk.

The command further warned individuals circulating false information to incite fear or undermine security efforts to desist, noting that such acts violate the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and will be treated accordingly.

Deborah, with nearly two years of media experience, reports human interest stories with a foundation in metro reporting.

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