The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Inspector-General of Police to urgently intervene following grave allegations of extortion, harassment, and illegal detention involving operatives of the “Tiger Base” unit in Owerri, Imo State.
In a petition dated May 7, 2026, RULAAC Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma detailed a troubling pattern of abuse targeting residents of the Umuonyeka community in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area.
The advocacy group alleges that police operatives have turned security operations into a profit-making venture, repeatedly raiding the community to arrest individuals based on flimsy associations.
One of the most startling claims in the petition involves Mr Jude Egwim Ezeala. RULAAC reports that despite the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police finding the allegations against Ezeala frivolous and ordering his release during an inspection, Tiger Base operatives allegedly defied the directive. The group claims the officers extorted N3 million from Ezeala before allowing him to regain his freedom.
The petition further notes that several other residents have been “pencilled down” for arrest simply because their phone numbers were found on the device of Mr Uchechukwu Maduakolam, a detainee currently being held incommunicado without charge.
RULAAC suggested that the police may be acting in collaboration with local power actors to suppress dissent. Community sources allege that the Secretary to the traditional ruler, Mr Emeka Emetubelem, provided a list of “disloyal” individuals to the police. Notably, while community members face harassment, the traditional ruler and his cabinet have reportedly remained exempt from interrogation despite their known contact with detainees.
Concerns are also mounting over the whereabouts of Chief Ethelbert Ugwuh, a former APC Chairman in the area. Following raids on April 30 and May 6, associates have been unable to reach him, fueling fears that he is being held at Tiger Base without access to legal representation or his family.
The advocacy group also drew attention to the deteriorating health of Mr. Kenneth Anyanwu, who sustained severe gunshot injuries during a previous police operation. Despite public assurances from both the traditional ruler and the Imo State Commissioner of Police that Anyanwu would receive medical care, the victim reports receiving no support. Anyanwu, whose lungs reportedly collapsed due to the wounds, also identified an officer named Chinedu Iwueke as the individual who shot him and stole N47,000 from him at the scene.
RULAAC emphasised that while it supports lawful policing, security operations must never be weaponised for personal or political scores. The group is demanding an immediate halt to the harassment in Umuonyeka, an independent investigation into the alleged N3 million extortion, and the immediate disclosure of the whereabouts of all detainees.
The petition further urged the Inspector-General to ensure that Mr Anyanwu receives urgent medical attention and that Officer Chinedu Iwueke faces disciplinary and criminal action for the reported shooting and theft.
RULAAC stated that a decisive intervention is necessary to restore public confidence in law enforcement within Imo State.
