An investigative journalist and human rights activist, Chinonso Uba Nonsonkwa, has raised alarm over an alleged plot to assassinate him, which he claims is linked to his reports on alleged human rights abuses by operatives of the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, popularly known as “Tiger Base.”
Nonsonkwa, who is also a radio presenter and President of the Nchekwa Ndi Ogbenye Foundation (Protect The Weak International Foundation), alleged that senior police officer ACP Oladimeji and other operatives of the unit have threatened his life following his sustained advocacy and reporting on alleged atrocities committed by the unit.
In a statement issued on Monday, Nonsonkwa said he has, since 2021, consistently raised concerns over what he described as chronic human rights violations by Tiger Base operatives, including alleged extrajudicial killings of Imo youths reportedly profiled as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), enforced disappearances, extortion involving millions of naira, and allegations of organ harvesting.
He noted that while his early warnings attracted limited attention, the matter gained global visibility in 2025 through the efforts of the international human rights community. According to him, he intensified his advocacy following the release of a report by the Coalition Against Tiger Base Impunity, which named several officers allegedly involved in the abuses.
Nonsonkwa claimed that shortly after the report was made public, he began receiving threats to his life, allegedly from ACP Oladimeji and other operatives mentioned in the report, including Inspectors Moses Ogarabe, Chidi Igwe, Chidiebere Nwosu, and Blessing Uchendu.
He further alleged that his Facebook profile and page, which he said had over 550,000 followers, were mysteriously disabled, while his two phone lines were allegedly bugged and his private communications infiltrated.
“These developments began after I championed the ‘Tiger Base Must Fall’ campaign in Imo State,” he said, adding that both his life and those of his family members are now at risk.
The journalist called on the international community, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, to urgently investigate the alleged assassination threat and the broader allegations against the Tiger Base operatives.
“My life and the lives of my family members are no longer safe in Imo State simply because I am a journalist doing my job,” he stated.
