Over 200 People Allegedly Missing or Dead in Imo Police ‘Tiger Base’ as Group Petitions Governor

 

Over 200 People Allegedly Missing or Dead in Imo Police ‘Tiger Base’ as Group Petitions Governor

A civil society organisation, OGANIHU, has raised alarm over the alleged disappearance and deaths of more than 200 individuals detained at the Imo State Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, popularly known as Tiger Base, and has formally petitioned Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State.

In a detailed petition dated February 23, 2026, the group accused the unit of operating an unregulated detention system between 2021 and 2025, marked by alleged torture, extrajudicial killings, and large-scale extortion. The petition was also forwarded to key oversight institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and leaders of the National Assembly.

Signed by Prof. Chijioke Uwasomba and Dr. Chido Onumah, the document described Tiger Base as a centre where detainees are allegedly abused with little or no accountability. According to the group, families are often compelled to pay ransom amounts ranging from ₦200,000 to as high as ₦20 million to secure the release of their relatives — even in cases that reportedly involve civil disputes rather than criminal offences.

The petition cited multiple alleged victims, claiming that in several instances, families were neither informed of deaths nor allowed access to bodies, some of which remain unaccounted for. OGANIHU stated that conservative estimates from advocacy records suggest at least 200 people may have died or gone missing as a result of the unit’s operations within the four-year period.

The group also referenced past cases, including that of Linus Onyewuchi Anyanwu, who reportedly died in custody in 2021, and his daughter, who allegedly suffered severe abuse. Another case mentioned was Gloria Okolie, whose unlawful detention at the facility was recently ruled against by the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

OGANIHU further alleged that female detainees were subjected to sexual exploitation and forced labour, while independent monitoring bodies were reportedly denied access to the facility in 2025. According to the petition, these actions violate Nigeria’s Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Nigeria Police Act, and the Anti-Torture Act, as well as international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Warning that continued inaction could fuel widespread unrest similar to the 2020 #EndSARS protests, the group called on the Imo State Government to immediately suspend officers linked to the allegations and establish an independent judicial panel to investigate the unit.

Among its demands, OGANIHU urged the government to publicly condemn torture, ensure accountability for implicated officers, conduct forensic audits of detention records, protect witnesses, and provide compensation to victims and affected families.

According to the group, the situation at Tiger Base reflects a broader crisis in policing accountability that requires urgent and transparent intervention.