The Nigeria Police Force and the Imo State Police Command have reacted to the five-part publication by Nigerian Female Investigative Reporter, Juliana Francis, on human rights violations at the Anti-kidnapping Unit in Imo State Police Command, otherwise known as Tiger Base Police.
Francis, in a five-part investigation, exposed in chilling details, extrajudicial killings, torture, extortion, illegal arrest, illegal detention, arrest in lieu and other violations going on at Tiger Base Police.
The Nigeria Police Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, in a press statement dated 23rd of March, 2025, said that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has issued a stern reminder to all members of the Nigeria Police Force regarding the importance of respecting fundamental rights in the context of pre-trial detentions.
He said: “The IGP emphasised that adherence to legally stipulated detention periods is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental aspect of upholding the dignity and rights of individuals, as enshrined in Sections 34 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees the right to dignity and personal liberty.
“The IGP cautions against any practices that may lead to unlawful or prolonged detentions, which can undermine public trust and confidence in the police, reiterating that any officer found violating these principles will face serious consequences.
“Calling for a culture of accountability within the Force, the IGP encourages officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct in their interactions with the public. By prioritizing human rights, the Nigeria Police Force aims to build stronger relationships with the communities it serves, ensuring that policing is conducted with integrity and respect.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to ensuring that all individuals in custody are treated with respect and under the law. The commitment of the current Police leadership to human rights reflects a broader vision of a police force that is not only effective in maintaining law and order but also dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals.”
The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Okoye Henry, described the investigation as false allegations, stressing that the command was committed to the rule of law and accountability.
His words: “The Imo State Police Command has taken note of the recent media report titled “Investigation Exposes Alarming Abuse of Detainees at Police’s Tiger Base,” authored by one Juliana Francis, which makes serious and unfounded allegations against the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Owerri and, by extension, the Imo State Police Command.
“The Command categorically rejects these allegations and asserts that the information presented in the report is misleading, lacking in facts and does not reflect the true operations of the Command.
“It is crucial to emphasize that the author did not take the necessary steps to verify the allegations with the Imo State Police Command before publishing.
“The allegations, attributed to complainants using pseudo names, have been investigated and found to be misleading and unfounded. This raises concerns about the credibility and reliability of the information provided and; also calls into question the journalistic standards behind the report.
“In contrast to the allegations, the Imo State Police Command affirms that all suspects are treated by legal protocols and their rights respected. Hence, claims of unlawful detentions, torture, extortion, and extrajudicial killings in the command are untrue.
“The Imo State Police Command is dedicated to ensuring that all its divisions, tactical units, and formations uphold the rule of law and accountability. The Command is open to receiving genuine complaints against any tactical unit through its Complaint Response Unit.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma assures the public that all complaints will be thoroughly investigated and confidentially treated; and any officer found culpable will face severe disciplinary sanctions.
“In light of this, the Commissioner of Police urges all media personnel, especially print correspondents, to verify their reports with the Imo State Police Command before publishing. The spread of unverified and misleading information erodes public trust and undermines the integrity of the Force.”
