By Prisca Nguzo
Imo State Police Command has said the call by a civil society organization, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), for the disbandment of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit, otherwise known as Tiger Base, not in the best interest of the state and citizens.
RULAAC had in recent statement accused operatives of the Tiger Base Unit of torture, unlawful detention, extortion and extrajudicial killings of suspects in their custody.
But the Command in a statement issued by its spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, insisted that the allegations levelled against the unit were unfounded, misleading and "do not reflect the conduct or operational standards of the unit."
Okoye advised that instead of undully criticising the unit, the people of the state should rather constantly commend the unit's operatives for their resilience and crime fighting achievements.
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He said, "The Imo State Police Command is issuing this statement in response to the press release by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), dated June 13, 2025, alleging acts of torture, unlawful detention, extortion, and extrajudicial killings by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, known as Tiger Base. The Command wishes to categorically state that these allegations are unfounded and do not reflect the conduct or operational standards of the unit.
"The Anti-Kidnapping Unit is a legally constituted tactical team tasked with combating the menace of kidnapping and violent crimes in the state. The unit has consistently recorded commendable successes, including the rescue of kidnapped victims, arrests of notorious suspects, and recovery of firearms, thereby contributing meaningfully to public safety."
"While the Command upholds a zero-tolerance stance on human rights violations, it is important to emphasize that no verified reports or credible evidence has been presented to substantiate the claims made against the unit. Nonetheless, the Command remains committed to investigating any formal complaints submitted through recognized channels such as the X-Squad and Complaints Response Unit (CRU)."
"Sweeping calls for the disbandment of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit—without due process or independent inquiry—not only undermine the morale of officers risking their lives daily but also embolden criminal elements still active in the state. The Command values constructive engagement with civil society groups like RULAAC and encourages partnership based on fairness, facts, and mutual accountability.
"The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, reaffirms the Command’s unwavering commitment to ethical policing, professionalism, and the protection of citizens’ rights. The public is encouraged to report any genuine misconduct through established internal oversight mechanisms for prompt action." Okoye added.
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