RULAAC drags Imo Police ‘Tiger Base’ to court over alleged torture, missing children
RULAAC Files Lawsuits Against Imo State Police Over Rights Violations
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has initiated four fundamental rights enforcement suits against the anti-kidnapping unit of the Imo State Police Command, known as Tiger Base. The allegations include torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance of children, forced labor, extortion, and extrajudicial killings.
These cases were filed on July 21, 2026, at the Imo State High Court in Owerri, involving eight victims. The hearings are scheduled to take place on August 5, 2026.
Court documents identify the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, the Commander of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, and several officers as respondents to the suits.
One suit alleges that women were arrested based on accusations related to their husbands’ alleged criminal activities and subsequently detained for extended periods. The applicants contend they were subjected to forced labor, performing tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and construction, while some were separated from their young children, whose current situations remain unknown.
Another suit details the experience of a nursing mother who was reportedly separated from her infant at the time of her arrest. She alleges she faced physical assault, coercion, and unlawful withdrawal of funds from her bank account.
In the declarations sought in Suit No: HOW/475/2026, the applicants request the court to recognize the unlawful removal of Onyebuchi Anyanwu’s children—Peculiar (5), Ihuoma (8), and Onyinyechi Anyanwu (3)—as well as the infant son of Chinenye Obi (1 year and 9 months). They assert that the ongoing failure to disclose the children’s whereabouts constitutes violations of their dignity and family rights.
A separate filing by a female applicant from Abia State asserts that she was subjected to torture, sexual humiliation, denial of medical care, and prolonged detention by police officers. She seeks compensation and the disciplinary action of those allegedly involved in the mistreatment.
Additionally, a trader named Kenneth Anyanwu claims he was shot from behind by a police officer while unarmed, resulting in severe injuries. He further alleges he was denied immediate medical attention and unlawfully deprived of personal funds during the incident.
The applicants are asking for various declarations, investigations, compensation, and other forms of relief, arguing their constitutional rights have been violated.
RULAAC Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma stated that these cases provide an opportunity for the judiciary to address long-standing allegations of abuse related to the Tiger Base unit. He emphasized that the proceedings will test Nigeria’s commitment to justice and accountability, highlighting that victims of torture and unlawful detention deserve redress through legal processes.
The four suits are set to be heard by the Imo State High Court in Owerri on August 5.
