Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Owerri, Imo State — An investigative journalist and human rights activist has accused senior officers of the **Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, known locally as “Tiger Base,” of plotting to assassinate him in retaliation for his reports on alleged abuses at the facility, escalating tensions between civil society and law enforcement over human rights concerns.
Chinonso Uba Nonsonkwa, president of the Nchekwa Ndi Ogbenye Foundation (Protect The Weak International Foundation) and an investigative journalist based in Imo State, on 22 December 2025 publicly accused senior Tiger Base officers of planning his assassination due to his critical reporting on alleged human rights abuses committed by the unit. Uba’s foundation focuses on exposing abuses and advocating for vulnerable populations, and he says his work has drawn the ire of powerful security operatives.
In a statement detailing his claims, Uba said he believes his life is in danger because of persistent criticism of Tiger Base’s conduct, particularly articles and advocacy highlighting allegations of torture, unlawful detention, extrajudicial killings and other abuses linked to the tactical unit.
The controversy surrounding the Imo State Police Command’s Tiger Base unit has been building for months, with multiple civil society organisations, human rights advocates and commentators decrying alleged abuses at the facility. Local coalitions and rights groups have accused the unit of serious violations, ranging from torture and extortion to enforced disappearances and deaths in custody, based on testimonies from former detainees, families of alleged victims and activists.
A report by the Coalition Against Tiger Base Impunity (CAPTI) alleges that as many as 200 deaths or disappearances occurred in Tiger Base custody between 2021 and 2025 and that officers routinely defied court orders, deny detainees access to lawyers and engage in systematic abuses. The coalition’s report documented alleged practices including torture, extrajudicial executions and extortion, adding to broader calls for independent investigation and reform of the unit.
Earlier in December, civil society groups demanded a thorough probe into alleged unlawful detentions, fatalities and torture at the unit, including calls for legislative oversight and justice for victims. These demands were sparked by the death of a local businessman while in police custody at Tiger Base and amplified by persistent reports of maltreatment.
The Imo State Police Command has publicly rejected some of the more sensational claims circulating about Tiger Base, including allegations of torture or organ trafficking, labelling them as unfounded and aimed at undermining the unit’s security work. Police spokesperson DSP Okoye Henry reiterated that Tiger Base operates within the law and has contributed to disrupting kidnapping and armed robbery in the state. The command also announced plans to establish a Human Rights Desk within Tiger Base aimed at addressing genuine complaints.
Despite official denials, the persistence of criticism from rights groups and journalists suggests a deep mistrust between parts of civil society and the tactical unit. Advocates say repeated allegations, including claims of torture, forced labour and extrajudicial killings, highlight systemic problems in policing practices and accountability.
Uba’s assassination allegation strikes a chilling note for press freedom and the safety of human rights defenders in the region, where journalists have repeatedly faced pressure, detention and harassment in connection with their reporting. While Uba’s comments have not been independently verified by authorities, they reflect broader anxieties among media practitioners and activists about retaliation linked to critical coverage of powerful security actors.
Safety threats against journalists in Nigeria are not unprecedented, and rights groups regularly call for enhanced protections and legal safeguards for media workers. The Committee to Protect Journalists and similar organisations have documented numerous cases where journalists alleging abuses by state actors have faced reprisals, underscoring the fragility of press freedom when security forces are implicated.
Observers say that while tactical units like Tiger Base play an important role in combating kidnappings and violent crime, safeguarding human rights and ensuring accountability for alleged abuses are essential to maintaining public trust and protecting civil liberties. They argue that independent investigations and transparent oversight mechanisms would help clarify the validity of allegations and ensure that both security and human rights are upheld.
Calls for Independent Investigation and Accountability
Human rights advocates have urged federal and state authorities to take allegations of rights violations seriously and to commission impartial investigations into claims against Tiger Base. They emphasise that claims of retaliation and threats against journalists should be thoroughly examined, with appropriate legal protections extended to journalists and whistleblowers.
Civil society groups are also renewing calls for oversight bodies such as the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission to intervene, investigate historical and recent allegations of abuse, and recommend reforms to prevent future misconduct. These calls echo longstanding concerns about policing standards and accountability in Nigeria, particularly in specialised tactical units perceived to operate with limited transparency.
For Chinonso Uba and other journalists in Imo State, the alleged death threat underscores the precarious balance between exposing alleged abuses and personal safety. Whether authorities will formally respond to the assassination accusation and investigate the underlying claims about Tiger Base remains to be seen, but advocates say a transparent, thorough inquiry is critical to address concerns over human rights, press freedom and police conduct in the state.
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