The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Okechukwu Nwanguma, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over allegations of deception in detention facility inspections and inhumane treatment of detainees in Imo State.
In a letter dated April 17, 2026, and addressed to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Nwanguma raised concerns about the conduct of officers at the Imo State Police Command, particularly at the Tiger Base/Anti-Kidnapping Unit detention facility in Owerri.
He described the allegations as “serious” and warned that, if proven, they would indicate “a deliberate and systematic attempt to undermine oversight mechanisms, conceal actual detention conditions, and subject detainees to degrading treatment.”
According to the petition, detainees were allegedly moved out of Tiger Base cells on April 16 and 17 and taken to the Magistrate Court premises at the Hon. Justice P.C. Onumajulu Pavilion in Owerri.
“It has been credibly reported that detainees were removed from Tiger Base detention cells and assembled at the Magistrate Court premises… for extended periods,” Nwanguma stated.
He added, “The detainees were allegedly held in that location from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. without food, water, or adequate care, not for any lawful judicial purpose but purportedly in anticipation of an unscheduled inspection visit.”
The petition further alleged that such movements may be part of a broader pattern aimed at concealing actual detention conditions during oversight visits.
“Once inspections are concluded, detainees are allegedly returned to their original conditions of detention,” he said.
Nwanguma also referenced a press statement issued by the Imo State Police Command confirming a visit by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, during which detention facilities were inspected.
While acknowledging the Command’s stated commitment to human rights compliance, he noted that critical issues were not addressed.
“The statement does not clarify the whereabouts and custody status of all detainees during the inspection period, nor whether detainees were moved before inspection,” he said.
He added that the absence of such details had “given rise to serious public concern and conflicting narratives requiring urgent clarification.”
The RULAAC director warned that, if substantiated, the allegations could amount to violations of constitutional and international human rights protections.
“These allegations… are grave and strike at the core of lawful policing, humane treatment standards, and institutional accountability,” he said.
Nwanguma called on the Inspector-General of Police to order “an immediate, independent and impartial investigation” into the matter.
He urged that the probe should include a review of custody records between April 15 and 17, verification of detainee identities and locations, and interviews conducted without police presence.
He also recommended the inclusion of independent bodies such as the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and credible civil society organisations in the investigative panel.
In addition, he cautioned against any retaliation.
“There must be immediate steps to ensure that no form of retaliation, intimidation, or coercion is directed at detainees, whistleblowers, or complainants linked to this matter,” he stated.
Concluding the petition, Nwanguma stressed the broader implications for public trust in law enforcement.
“The credibility of policing in Nigeria rests not only on operational effectiveness but equally on transparency, accountability, and respect for human dignity,” he said.
“Where allegations arise suggesting that oversight inspections may be manipulated or staged, it is imperative that such claims are addressed swiftly, independently, and convincingly.”
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