The Imo State Police Command on Friday, December 5, 2025, opened the doors of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit, popularly known as Tiger Base, to journalists, civil society representatives, and human rights activists during a comprehensive inspection and fact-finding tour. The visit followed widespread social and mainstream media allegations that the facility was involved in organ harvesting, torture, unlawful detention, delays in prosecution of suspects, and the existence of a slaughterhouse within its premises.
The inspection was authorized by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, and coordinated through the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Henry Okoye. The Commander of the Unit, ACP Odeyeyiwa Oladimeji, accompanied the delegation throughout the tour.
During the assessment, the team inspected all sections of the facility, observed operational procedures, and interacted with police officers attached to the unit. They also engaged several detained suspects, many of whom openly confessed to various crimes and confirmed that they were receiving food as required while awaiting their court hearings.
At one section of the compound, the visitors observed carved wooden figures placed in a corner—objects that previous online reports had described as “shrines.” Police officials clarified that the items were exhibits recovered from hideouts linked to suspected IPOB elements and kidnapping syndicates.
ACP Odeyeyiwa explained that the wooden, iron, and cement images, some painted in dreaded colours and shaped like masquerades, were retrieved from camps and dungeons used by criminal groups across parts of Imo State. He added that all materials recovered during security operations were properly stored as exhibits in line with police procedure.
The delegation also inspected a Highland Jeep, ash-coloured, with plate number Lagos LSD 413 JJ, parked within the premises. Police authorities stated that the vehicle belonged to a prominent woman recently killed by unidentified gunmen dressed in black at Umuekerekpu Ndegwu Community in Owerri West. According to the police, she was fatally shot in the head while visiting her nearly completed building. A survivor who spoke to journalists said three people were inside the vehicle at the time of the attack. He recounted that their madam was shot in the head, he sustained a gunshot injury to the hand, and another passenger was struck in the jaw. Both survivors are receiving medical attention in Owerri.
At the end of the tour, journalists, civil society groups, and human rights representatives affirmed that none of the allegations circulating online—including organ trafficking, torture chambers, or slaughterhouses—were evident during their inspection.
Addressing the delegation, DSP Henry Okoye reiterated the stance of the Command, stressing that the circulating reports were fabricated and intended to mislead the public. He emphasized that Tiger Base remains a legitimate formation of the Nigeria Police Force mandated to tackle violent crime, including kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, and terrorism. He also revealed that CCTV cameras had been installed strategically throughout the premises, with real-time footage linked directly to the office of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, to ensure accountability.
Further clarifying the claims, DSP Okoye stated:
“There has been a lot of misleading information circulated against the operations of the Anti Kidnapping Unit, Tiger Base, of the Imo State Police Command.
There is nothing like an abattoir or slaughterhouse within the premises.
The entire environment is secured with barbed wire fencing, CCTV surveillance, and no surrounding bushes.
We have functional sectional offices, disciplinary units, the IGP Monitoring Unit, X Squad, and an active Complaint Response Unit, CRU.”
He explained that allegations of organ harvesting were entirely false and that criminal exhibits—such as human skulls displayed earlier in 2025—were items recovered from hideouts believed to belong to suspected ESN/IPOB members.
“These items remain here because they are exhibits required for ongoing investigations and possible court proceedings.
Some individuals have twisted this fact to claim we operate shrines within Tiger Base.
This is untrue. The carvings and objects recovered are believed by criminals and kidnapping syndicates to hold mystical powers, which, of course, are powerless.
That is why they were confiscated,” he said.
Also speaking, Commander of the Unit, ACP Odeyeyiwa, emphasized that the Tiger Base focuses exclusively on high-profile criminal cases.
“We have newly built and commissioned charge rooms, and our tactical teams remain on standby to ensure the continued security of Imo State,” he stated.
The team also observed several confiscated motorcycles kept as exhibits. According to the police, the seizures were made in compliance with the Imo State Government’s directive banning motorcycle operations within Owerri metropolis under the Shared Prosperity Administration.
Participants commended the Police Command for granting unrestricted access to the facility and underscored the importance of cooperation between the media, civil society, and security agencies in sustaining peace and security in Imo State.
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