Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Owerri, Imo State — The Imo State Police Command has faced mounting public criticism and allegations of retaliation linked to the #TigerBaseMustFall campaign after dozens of arrests in recent weeks, with civil society and human rights advocates asserting that the arrests reflect a broader pattern of intimidation, arbitrary detentions and suppression of dissent. Local activists report that at least 41 people have been detained in roughly the past two weeks, many of whom they say were peacefully expressing concern over alleged abuses by the police’s tactical unit known as Tiger Base.
Tiger Base — the Anti‑Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command — was established to confront kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crime in the state, but it has also been the subject of sustained public scrutiny and multiple allegations of human rights violations. Civil society organisations and rights defenders have long accused the unit of unlawful detention, coercion, extortion and abusive treatment of suspects, claims that have fuelled campaigns such as #TigerBaseMustFall demanding accountability and reform.
According to activists and spokespeople for the campaign, recent arrests have targeted individuals who have publicly criticised the unit online or participated in peaceful demonstrations. These advocates argue that the detentions are not genuine criminal prosecutions but are politically motivated, intended to stifle scrutiny of the police and deter public discourse on policing standards in the state. While an exact tally is difficult to verify independently, the reported figure of 41 detentions over two weeks has been cited by local human rights networks as part of a pattern of punitive action against critics.
The Imo police have not formally acknowledged the #TigerBaseMustFall campaign itself as a cause for the detentions, but the command has repeatedly denied allegations of misconduct against Tiger Base operatives. In recent responses to public reports, police authorities described claims of torture, unlawful detention and other abuses as “misleading” and insisted that all suspects are treated in accordance with legal protocols.
The controversy has attracted national attention. In aggregate reporting, civil society groups — including dozens of organisations — have petitioned the National Assembly’s Senate Committee to investigate alleged human rights abuses by Tiger Base, detailing accounts of arbitrary arrests, detentions incommunicado and extortionary practices alleged to be linked to the unit’s operations.
Human rights advocates argue that these recent detentions intensify concerns about police conduct and threat to civic space in Imo State. They warn that targeting individuals for expressing dissent or airing grievances over policing trends undermines democratic freedoms and the rule of law, which are protected under the Nigerian Constitution. Independent observers say that prolonged or repeated arrests without transparent charges and due process risk creating a climate of fear that discourages free expression and civic participation.
In response to these pressures, the Imo State Police has at times emphasised its achievements in cracking down on violent crime: recent operations have reportedly led to the neutralisation and arrest of kidnappers and other armed suspects, alongside the recovery of victims and dangerous weapons, efforts officials describe as part of their mandate to protect lives and property.
Still, the sharp divide between official pronouncements and public perception highlights a broader challenge facing the command: maintaining public trust while executing tough law‑enforcement measures in a security environment marked by armed groups, kidnappings and criminal violence. Critics maintain that ensuring accountability and adherence to human rights norms is essential not only for justice but also for effective policing that enjoys community support.
As of now, there have been no comprehensive official figures released confirming the total number of people detained in relation to the campaign or the specific charges they face. Rights organisations and legal advocates are calling for transparency, timely access to legal counsel for detainees and respect for constitutional processes, including prompt arraignment and judicial oversight.
The discord over Tiger Base and the #TigerBaseMustFall campaign reflects intersecting anxieties in Imo State about security, police conduct and civic freedoms — tensions that risk deepening unless addressed through dialogue, accountability mechanisms and strengthened safeguards for human rights in law‑enforcement practice.
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