For the families who have lost loved ones to the “Tiger Base” in Owerri, a new police unit sounds like a promising start, but for Okechukwu Nwanguma, it feels like a high-stakes gamble with Nigerian lives.
In a candid letter to the Inspector-General of Police on April 24, 2026, the Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, delivered a blunt message: A new name won’t stop old habits. While Nwanguma applauded the creation of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), he made it clear that the Nigerian public is tired of “cosmetic” fixes.
Nwanguma’s biggest fear is the “recycling” of officers who have spent years operating above the law. He argued that moving an officer with a history of torture into a brand-new unit is like pouring spoiled milk into a clean glass.
“The success or failure of the VCRU will depend not on its name or structure, but on the integrity of its personnel,” Nwanguma said. “Recycling personnel from discredited units into a rebranded structure would defeat the very purpose of the reform.”
The call for reform is deeply personal for those in Imo State, where the notorious “Tiger Base” Anti-Kidnapping Unit became synonymous with extortion and arbitrary detention. Nwanguma specifically called out the unit’s commander, known as “Ola,” insisting that he and his team should be under investigation, not under consideration for new roles.
“Accountability is essential not only to provide justice for victims but also to signal a clear break from a culture of impunity,” he wrote.
Beyond the officers on the street, Nwanguma aimed at the “shadow commanders” political actors like “Shaba,” the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, who allegedly exerted informal control over police operations. For the VCRU to work, RULAAC insists it must belong to the people and the law, not to the whims of local politicians.
To ensure this isn’t just another rebranding exercise, RULAAC is demanding strict background checks to ban any officer with a record of abuse from joining the VCRU.
This must be coupled with transparent investigations into the activities of the disbanded Tiger Base and a commitment to keeping the unit under the professional control of the Commissioner of Police. Finally, Nwanguma insists on strict supervision, ensuring leaders hold the correct rank to allow for proper administrative oversight.
As the VCRU prepares to launch in all 36 states, Nwanguma reminded the IGP that this is a rare chance to fix a broken bond.
“The Nigerian public, victims of past abuses, and serving officers who remain committed to professionalism are watching closely. They deserve a policing system that is worthy of public trust.”
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