Owerri, Imo State – A place meant to safeguard lives has reportedly become a chamber of death. Inside Tiger Base, the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, alleged survivors claim that innocent Nigerians – predominantly Igbo youths – face torture, extortion, and extrajudicial killings.
Drawing from survivor testimonies, civil society petitions, and social media outcry, this report highlights systemic failures that demand urgent attention.
Executive Summary
Tiger Base, operational since early 2025, was established to combat kidnapping and armed robbery in Imo State. Instead, it has allegedly become a notorious detention facility where detainees endure brutal interrogations, forced confessions, and ransom demands of up to ₦10 million.
Reports of organ harvesting, a so-called “Slaughter Room” for executions, and secret burials have fueled a nationwide #ShutdownTigerBaseOwerri campaign on X (formerly Twitter).
Over 35 civil society organizations have petitioned Nigeria’s Senate for an investigation, while the Imo State Police Command denies the allegations, calling them a “smear campaign” by criminals.
Key Allegations:
- Extrajudicial Killings: At least five documented deaths in custody, including Japheth Njoku (May 6, 2025).
- Torture and Extortion: Detainees reportedly beaten, starved, and coerced into signing false statements.
- Organ Harvesting: Survivors claim the existence of a hidden chamber where bodies are mutilated and parts trafficked.
- Impunity: Despite petitions and media coverage, no independent investigation has been conducted.
Background: From Crime-Fighters to Torturers?
Tiger Base, located in Owerri, Imo State’s capital, was launched under the Nigeria Police Force to address kidnappings and cultism. By April 2025, however, former detainees describe it as a “House of Horror.”
The unit’s Officer-in-Charge, SP Ola (nicknamed “Buchi”), has been accused of refusing to release detainees, with claims that he boasted:
“Not even the IGP can compel me to release a detainee held for eight months without charges.”
Governor Hope Uzodimma’s office has reportedly remained silent despite public appeals tagging @ImostateGov and @hopeuzodimma1.
Key Incidents
1. The Death of Japheth Njoku (May 2025)
32-year-old Japheth Njoku, a newlywed security guard, was arrested over alleged minor theft. Survivors report he endured brutal torture, with officers demanding ₦4 million from his family. He died from blunt force trauma, and his body was reportedly deposited secretly at the Federal University Teaching Hospital morgue.
2. Nmesoma’s Ordeal (September 2025)
21-year-old nurse Nmesoma claims she was detained on vague “cultism” charges, beaten with iron bars, stripped, and denied medical care. Released after ₦2.5 million ransom, she now reportedly suffers chronic pain and PTSD.
3. Youth Leader Killed (November 2025)
A youth leader from Ezedibia Emekuku allegedly died in custody from blunt force trauma. Villagers claim the body was withheld, raising fears of organ removal.
4. Fatal Raid (December 2025)
During a reported market raid in Njamanze village, a Swedish returnee suffered a heart attack while fleeing and died on-site. The incident intensified the #ShutdownTigerBaseOwerri movement, trending with thousands of posts within 48 hours.
Patterns of Alleged Abuse
| Type of Abuse | Description | Estimated Victims (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Torture | Beatings, hanging, starvation, forced confessions; “Dead End” cells with unsanitary conditions | 100+ |
| Extortion | Bail/ransom demands ₦1–10 million | 50+ |
| Extrajudicial Killings | Confirmed 5; suspected 20+ | 20+ |
| Organ Harvesting | “Slaughter Room” with surgical tools; trafficking of body parts | 10+ reports |
| Sexual Violence | Female detainees raped; threats used to silence | 5+ |
Additional allegations include ritual shrines at entrances, ethnic profiling of South-Easterners, and arbitrary arrests.
Official Response
The Imo State Police Command denied all allegations on December 3, 2025, crediting Tiger Base with dismantling criminal syndicates and improving security. They announced a “Human Rights Desk” for oversight but rejected claims of ethnic bias. Officers warned against “inciting” posts under the Cybercrimes Act.
Critics, including journalists and civil society groups, dismiss these statements as deflection and demand independent forensic audits.
Societal Impact
Many residents of Owerri reportedly avoid Tiger Base, describing it as a “death zone.” Youths fear reporting crimes, and families hesitate to call the unit about detained relatives.
The #ShutdownTigerBaseOwerri movement, amplified by social media influencers, has reportedly caught the attention of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
One X post reads:
“Tiger Base is a slaughter house. Organ harvesting and trafficking hub. Evil lives there.”
Recommendations
- Immediate Shutdown: Disband Tiger Base pending independent investigation by the UN Human Rights Council and Police Service Commission.
- Forensic Audit: Examine the premises for remains; autopsy all custody deaths.
- Prosecutions: Arrest and try officers allegedly involved in torture or killings.
- Victim Support: Compensation for families; free counseling and medical support.
- Reforms: Mandate body cameras, legal aid, and ethnic sensitivity training for all police units.
- Legislative Action: Senate to review petitions and consider nationwide anti-SARS style reforms.
Justice delayed is justice denied. The citizens of Owerri and Nigeria at large demand accountability.
Sources: Survivor testimonies, civil society petitions, verified media reports, and social media documentation.
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