Human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has turned his attention to the Imo State–based Nigerian Police tactical unit known as Tiger Base, accusing the outfit of “egregious human rights abuses” and comparing its alleged activities to some of the darkest episodes in Nigeria’s policing history.
Residents interviewed by our correspondents in Owerri expressed deep fear at the mere mention of Tiger Base, describing the unit as a place clouded by secrecy, intimidation, and longstanding public anxiety. According to several community members, the facility has built a reputation that instills dread, with many alleging that scores of young Igbo men are being held there under harsh conditions.
The unit, which is reportedly headed by CSP Oladimeji, a Yoruba senior police officer, has been the subject of intensifying complaints from families, activists, and civil society groups. Many claim the centre has operated with unchecked powers and little external oversight.
Sowore, reacting to the growing number of petitions and testimonies circulating online, called out the police formation publicly. In a statement shared on his social media handle, he wrote:
"The Imo State-based 'Tiger Base' Nigeria Police Force torture facility has repeatedly perpetrated egregious human rights abuses, rivaling the severity of Nigeria's most notorious incidents, with an impending report anticipated to expose the full extent of these transgressions. Nigerians and the world will be shocked, what is coming will make #EndSARS look like child’s play. #TigerBaseMustFall"
His remarks have intensified national attention on the unit, prompting calls for immediate investigation by federal authorities, including the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission.
At the time of filing this report, the Imo State Police Command has not issued an official response to the allegations, and efforts to reach spokespersons for clarification were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, human rights organisations are urging transparency, accountability, and an independent probe into the activities of Tiger Base, stressing that the safety of citizens must remain paramount.
See some reactions to Sowore's call out:
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