Imolites For Good Governance (IFGG) a human rights advocacy group has condemned in very strong terms the activities of personnel of the Tiger Base Unit of the Imo State Police Command who reportedly arrest, detain and torture Imo youths on the frivolous allegation that they are members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The group in a release signed by Comrade Anderson Nnadi, as Publicity Secretary, stated that their attention was drawn to the ugly incident that occurred at Nempi market, in Oru West LGA on Saturday 26th of October 2024 when operatives of the Tiger Base invaded the market and arrested 28 youths who were surprisingly paraded shortly after their arrest as members of the ESN.
The group averred that the incident has shown that most of the youths previously arrested in different places and paraded as members of the ESN were falsely accused.
They expressed disappointment over the Uzodinma-led administration’s questionable docility and reluctance to investigate the rationale behind such unnecessary arrests, detentions that most times resulted in extra judicial killing of innocent youths by the overzealous operatives of the Tiger Base Unit.
The group further said, “we also have it on good authority that some officials of the Uzodinma administration have resorted to signing sureties and securing bail for most of the youths arrested and detained in questionable circumstances by the Tiger Base Unit in bid to partake in the ill gotten money collected from the victims and their families. There are also disturbing reports of extra judicial killings by operatives of the Tiger Base Unit who now operate as if they are above the law.
We urge the state government and the top hierarchy of the police force to thoroughly investigate the reprehensible activities of the unit and also ensure the immediate removal of their Commander, Ola, who worked closely with the discredited sacked former Commander of the Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS) known as Victor. It is unfortunate that Victor was sacked and SARS disbanded, yet, a worse version of SARS is still operating in Imo State under the deceptive guise of Tiger Base.”
“There are verifiable reports that Ola has strong links with the Police high command in Abuja, hence he believes that he can do whatever he likes and get away with it. We are also reliably informed that he is being used by some powerful forces in the state, whose interests he protects by allegedly doing some hatchet jobs. But injustice lasts but a while before the bubble busts. Abba Kyari’s case should be an eye opener to all”.
