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Thirty-six Civil Rights Groups in Nigeria have petitioned the Nigerian Senate to investigate the human rights violations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command (Tiger Base).
In the petition jointly signed, the thirty-six groups lamented the alarming activities of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, located at Tiger Base Owerri.
The groups revealed that the operations of this unit have been reported to be far worse than those of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), with numerous documented instances of egregious human rights violations.
The petition which was addressed to the Chairman
Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions stated that over the past week, a serialized investigative journalism report (herewith attached), supported by testimonies from victims and survivors, has highlighted the atrocities committed and must be thoroughly reviewed.
The report reveals shocking accounts by victims, survivors, relatives of victims and survivors, activists and human rights defenders, and witnesses of egregious human rights atrocities, corruption, and flagrant abuse of power sustained by impunity and the failure of police and police oversight authorities to investigate allegations and ensure accountability and justice.
The report was also based on responses by the police, correctional services, the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, the police service commission, and the National Human Rights Commission, among other respondents.
‘Tiger Base’, as the notorious police unit has come to be generally known, was set up to tackle incidents of violent crimes, but the activities of the unit bear no resemblance to the requirements of the law or professional policing standards. Instead, the unit’s activities and methods evoke the sad memories of the disbanded SARS, which was notable for unchecked acts of violence and brutality, eventually sparking the spontaneous nationwide citizen revolt in October 2020 against police brutality. That youth-led massive #EndsSARS protest was sustained for days amidst calls for the disbandment of the rogue SARS unit, among other demands.
“It was hoped that the #EndSARS movement would have left some hard lessons for the police and Nigerian authorities, making them see reasons to end police brutality by ensuring accountability for abuse, guaranteeing justice for victims, and enacting far-reaching reforms that would root out the impunity that allowed widespread police violence, brutality, and corruption.
“Alas, the activities of the Tiger Base, Owerri, and similar police tactical units across various states show clearly that no lessons were learned and that another uprising more cataclysmic could happen anytime soon unless police brutality is checked. ‘Several petitions and reports about the atrocities going on at Tiger Base have been ignored and the atrocities continue unchecked and unabated.’
The groups said the failure of the authorities to investigate cases to ensure that perpetrators are brought to account and victims gain access to justice sustains the atmosphere of impunity that allows rampant egregious police abuse.
“For instance, the silence by the police authorities over the findings from the police investigation ordered by the Inspector-General of Police into allegations of arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, torture, extrajudicial killings, and organ harvesting brought against some police operatives attached to the Anambra State Rapid Response Squad (former SARS Awkuzu) by a whistleblower bears testimony to the disposition of police authorities to cover up the atrocities of their personnel rather than ensuring transparent investigations and taking appropriate actions to demonstrate that the police hierarchy is not complicit or does not condone or cover up atrocities. Lack of transparency in addressing complaints of human rights violations destroys public trust in law enforcement.
“The incidents reported in the attached report indicate a fundamental failure of the police to uphold the law, protect citizens, or adhere to ethical standards. The culture of impunity that allows these excesses to persist is detrimental to public trust in law enforcement and justice in Nigeria.
“It is against this background that we jointly submit this petition to draw urgent attention to the alarming allegations of human rights abuses and corruption involving the Tiger Base, Owerri. The troubling accounts from victims—including unlawful detention, torture, coercion, and extortion—reflect a disturbing pattern of misconduct that must be addressed swiftly and decisively.
“The grave concerns regarding the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Tiger Base include but are not limited to:
1. Arbitrary Arrests and Unlawful Detention. Members of the unit are known to carry out arrests without due process, detaining individuals incommunicado and in inhumane conditions.
2. Trumped-Up Charges and Extortion. Suspects are often presented with fabricated allegations, of which they are coerced into complying with extortion demands.
3. Torture and Extrajudicial Killings. There are disturbing reports of torture inflicted upon those in custody, as well as credible allegations of extrajudicial killings and disappearances of individuals detained by this unit.
4. Rape, gender-based and other forms of sexual abuse. Some female detainees report being subjected to sexual abuse and used for forced labor.
5. Political Persecution. The unit has been utilized as a tool for political vendetta, targeting dissenters and opposition figures while operating with a blatant disregard for the law.
6. Impunity and Lack of Accountability. Numerous complaints levied against this notorious unit have been ignored by police authorities. This unit seemingly answers more to the Governor of Imo State than to the Commissioner of Police, further entrenching a culture of impunity.
“It is clear that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit operates above the law, largely unchecked and emboldened to engage in oppressive practices that infringe upon the rights of the citizens of Imo State
The CSOs urged the Senate to take immediate and decisive action by conducting a thorough, impartial, and exhaustive investigation into the activities of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The Senate must ensure accountability and advocate for the implementation of reforms.
The groups noted that the time for accountability is now. “The integrity of the Nigerian policing system and the trust of the citizens hinge on your commitment to uphold human rights and the rule of law. We appeal for your prompt attention to this pressing matter to restore justice and safeguard the rights of all Nigerians.
The groups involved are:
1. RULAAC, Lagos
2. Spaces for Change (S4C), Lagos
3. Elixir Trust: Elixir Trust Foundation, Benue State
4. TruORGANIC Initiative (State?)
5. Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) Aba, Abia State
6. World Impact Development Foundation, (WIDEF) (State)
7. Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE), Ilorin – Kwara
8. Imam Mahdi Foundation for Global Peace
9. Islamic Initiative for Human Rights Protection
10. Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development (State?)
11. Center for Peace Education and Community Development Foundation, Taraba
13. Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding, Kaduna
14. Habitatcare and Protection Initiative, Imo
15. Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria State??
16. OGECHI & SAM IKEH FOUNDATION (OSAIF) State??
17. Restorative Justice for Africa Initiative (REJA)- Abeokuta, Ogun State
18. Virgin Heart Foundation, Imo
19. Initiative for Public Safety Security and Educational Development in Nigeria (IPSSED Network) Enugu State
20. Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), Aba, Abia State
21. Vivacious Development Initiative (VIDI), Abia
22. Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development, IRIAD
23. Open Society on Justice Reform Project, Lagos
24. Solidarity for the paradigm shift initiative, Enugu
25. Legal Resources Consortium
26. Criminal Justice Network of Nigeria
27. Justice for Peace and Development Initiative
28. Centre for Global Tolerance and Human Rights, Lagos
29. Center for Peace Education and Community Development, Taraba state.
30. TruORGANIC Initiative for Social & Communities Development, Kwara State
31. Partnership for Social and Environmental Development Initiative – Cross River State
32. Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR)
33. Marjorie Ezihe: Sisters With A Goal Initiative, SWAG.Imo State.
34. ÓNÚRÚBÉ Coalition Against Gender-based Violence. Southeast States.
35. Human Rights Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF) Rivers State
36. Citizens Platform
