The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for an immediate and independent investigation into the alleged torture and death of a detainee, Mr Magnus Ejiogu, while in the custody of the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, widely known as Tiger Base, SaharaReporters has reported.
In a petition dated November 20, 2025, and addressed to the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), the Commission outlined disturbing allegations of torture, obstruction of justice, and disregard for police hierarchy by officers handling the case.
The petition follows an earlier complaint filed on September 27 by Ejiogu’s wife, Mrs Chinyere Magnus Ejiogu. The Inspector General of Police approved the complaint for action two days later.
The initial petition accused officers, including Inspector Chidiebere Nwosu, CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa and lawyer Blaise Chigozie Ikwo, of conspiracy, unlawful detention, torture, and violations of Ejiogu’s right to personal liberty.
However, according to the NHRC, senior officers at Tiger Base repeatedly defied FCID orders to transfer the case file to Abuja for an impartial investigation.
A team from FCID reportedly visited the Owerri unit on October 14 and 15 to enforce the IGP’s directive. Although the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, instructed that the file be handed over, ACP Odeyeyiwa allegedly refused, claiming the state governor was “interested in the case.”
Following the FCID visit, the unit issued a public statement accusing Ejiogu and others of financing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and “unknown gunmen,” and of involvement in the killing of police officers and a traditional ruler, accusations human rights groups say have often been weaponised to justify abuses.
Despite these claims, the NHRC said the command went ahead to charge all suspects, including Ejiogu, who was not presented in court before a magistrate on October 30. When asked about his absence, police prosecutors allegedly told the court he was ill.
The following day, October 31, Ejiogu’s wife and lawyer visited Tiger Base seeking access to him. It was at this point, the petition states, that they were informed he had died in custody and that his remains had been taken to a mortuary.
The Commission said subsequent checks showed that Ejiogu’s body was deposited at the mortuary on October 23, a full week before he was officially charged in court.
On November 2, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit publicly claimed he died after a “brief illness.”
The NHRC argued that officers implicated in his alleged torture cannot credibly investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
It added that the unit refused to comply again when the DIG FCID summoned them on November 18 for questioning.
The petition lists multiple alleged human rights violations, including failure to allow the detainee access to legal representation, violations of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, cruel and inhuman treatment, and breaches of the International Convention Against Torture.
NHRC urged the DIG to order the arrest and prosecution of all officers implicated in what it described as “custodial violence” that resulted in Ejiogu’s death. It also called for the FCID to take over the case file to ensure an independent and credible investigation.
“We request the DIG to order the arrest and prosecution of the violators involved in the custodial violence against Magnus Ejiogu,” the petition stated, adding that the Commission had “lost confidence” in the ability of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the state homicide section to conduct a fair inquiry.
The petition, titled “Alleged Murder of Magnus Ejiogu in Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) Custody, Imo Police Command, Owerri, Imo State: An Urgent Call for Investigation,” was signed by NHRC official Ohams Chinedu G.
The Commission urged police authorities to act swiftly in the interest of justice.
