Nigeria’s ‘Tiger Base’ Police Unit Accused of Widespread Human Rights Abuses

A specialized Nigerian police unit in Imo state, known as “Tiger Base,” is facing serious allegations of extrajudicial killings, torture, extortion, and other human rights violations, according to a recent report by Amnesty International. Established to combat kidnapping and armed robbery, the unit is accused of operating outside the law and abusing its power for personal gain.

Rampant Abuses at Tiger Base

Amnesty International’s investigation revealed a pattern of unlawful killings, torture, and ill-treatment of detainees held at Tiger Base in Owerri, the capital of Imo state. Detainees are reportedly held in overcrowded, unsanitary cells and subjected to regular beatings. Many are detained for weeks or months without charge, and some have been forcibly disappeared.

Torture and Coerced Confessions

Former detainees have described horrific experiences of torture, including beatings with iron rods, cables, knives, machetes, and whips. Some were tied up and suspended, suffering severe injuries. These methods were allegedly used to coerce confessions, which were then used to demand bribes for release. One survivor recounted being forced to write an incriminating statement under torture after being accused of purchasing stolen goods. The detainee was held for three weeks before being asked for a statement, and ultimately faced a demand for ₦4.5 million (US$3,100) for release.

Extortion and Illegal POS Operations

Tiger Base officers are accused of routinely arresting individuals not based on legitimate suspicion, but to extort money from their families. The unit allegedly operates an illegal point-of-sale (POS) business within the detention center, facilitating the extraction of lucrative bribes from detainees’ relatives. This practice allows for instant cash withdrawals from bank accounts, enabling officers to quickly collect payments.

Extrajudicial Executions and Suspicious Deaths

The report details allegations of extrajudicial executions, with detainees being taken from their cells and shot dead. A survivor reported hearing gunshots and later discovering a fellow detainee with bullet wounds, receiving no medical attention. Several deaths have been reported within the detention center, including the case of Okechukwu Ogbedagu, who died of asphyxiation in 2022. Following his death, the youth leaders who initially handed Ogbedagu over to Tiger Base were falsely charged with murder before eventually being released.

Inhumane Detention Conditions

Detention cells at Tiger Base are severely overcrowded, with as many as 70 people crammed into 12×12 foot spaces. The cells lack windows and have only one toilet, leading to unsanitary and degrading conditions. Detainees report suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and illness due to the overcrowding and lack of basic necessities. Testimonies suggest that Cell 1 is particularly dangerous, with many detainees disappearing after being moved there.

Impunity and Lack of Accountability

Amnesty International’s Director in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, condemned the atrocities committed by Tiger Base as a sign of the Nigerian authorities’ failure to address widespread torture, extrajudicial executions, and extortion within law enforcement. Sanusi highlighted the lack of accountability for these abuses, noting that corrupt officers appear emboldened by their impunity. The organization is calling for a prompt, independent, and impartial investigation into the actions of Tiger Base officers, including the unit’s commander, and for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Sanusi emphasized that the Nigerian authorities have a constitutional and legal obligation to investigate human rights violations and provide reparations to victims. The investigation should also examine compliance with section 62 of the Police Act, which mandates the release of suspects in non-capital cases within 24 hours.

Background

The Anti-Kidnapping Squad, known as Tiger Base, operates under the Imo State Police Command. While initially established to combat kidnapping, the unit has reportedly deviated from its core mandate and become notorious for systemic abuse, including unlawful arrests, prolonged detention, torture, extortion, and enforced disappearances.