Thirty civil society organisations under the banner of the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) have called on the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to urgently probe the growing allegations of human rights abuses linked to the anti-kidnapping unit of the Imo State Police Command, widely known as Tiger Base.
A statement signed by organisations in the coalition including; African Focus For Youth Development (AFFYD), Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Center for Peace Education and Community Development among others, revealed that recent reports about the unit point to a disturbing pattern of arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, torture, degrading treatment, and poor detention conditions.
“These allegations raise serious concerns about the abuse of police powers and the violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Nigeria’s Constitution,” the group said.
According to the coalition, recent claims that detainees were hurriedly moved to hide the condition of detention facilities during an oversight inspection have heightened these concerns.
“If true, such actions would amount to a deliberate attempt to conceal serious abuses and evade accountability,” said the group.
The group also lamented the troubling reports of threats and intimidation directed at journalists and civic actors who have raised concerns about the conduct of the unit.
“These alleged actions go beyond individual violations. They undermine public trust in law enforcement, weaken confidence in state institutions, and create fear among citizens, journalists, and human rights defenders. No democratic society can afford to ignore allegations of abuse by agencies entrusted with the responsibility of protecting lives and upholding the law,” it said.
AGFCS therefore calls on the Inspector General of Police and the National Human Rights Commission to urgently launch an independent investigation into the activities of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Imo State.
It also called for Inspection/re-inspection of the detention conditions at the facility and other related units; hold all responsible officers accountable for any confirmed violations and make the findings public to ensure transparency.
AGFCS noted that the credibility of public institutions depends on their willingness to uphold justice and accountability. It said allegations of torture, unlawful detention, and intimidation must never be ignored or covered up.
“The AGFCS remains committed to defending civic space and protecting the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians. We urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently to restore public confidence and demonstrate that no institution is above the law.”