By Our Reporter
Amnesty International Nigeria has raised serious concerns over alleged human rights violations at the Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Owerri, popularly known as Tiger Base, accusing officers of torture, unlawful detention, and extortion.
In a statement, the rights group said its findings, based on research and survivor testimonies, revealed patterns of prolonged arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and enforced disappearances at the facility located in Owerri.
According to Amnesty International Nigeria, several detainees reported being held for extended periods—ranging from weeks to months, and in some cases years—without formal charges. Others alleged they were coerced into confessing to crimes under torture or forced to pay large sums of money to secure their release.
The organisation described the alleged practices as violations of Nigeria’s Constitution and the Anti-Torture Act, as well as breaches of international obligations under instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture.
Amnesty International Nigeria called on the Nigeria Police Force to launch an immediate, independent, and impartial investigation into the allegations. It also urged that any officers found culpable be suspended pending investigation and prosecuted where necessary.
In a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the group stressed that no individual should be subjected to torture or unlawful detention while in state custody. It further demanded that detainees be granted access to legal representation, family members, and fair trial procedures in line with Nigerian law.
The organisation has also mobilised public support through a campaign tagged #EndTigerBase, calling on citizens to demand justice and accountability.
Efforts to reach police authorities for official response were not immediately successful as of press time.