RULAAC drags Imo Police ‘Tiger Base’ to court over alleged torture, missing children

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, has instituted four fundamental rights enforcement suits against the anti-kidnapping unit of the Imo State Police Command, popularly known as Tiger Base, over allegations of torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance of children, forced labour, extortion and extrajudicial killings.

The cases, filed before the Imo State High Court in Owerri on July 21, 2026, involve eight victims and are scheduled for hearing on August 5, 2026.

According to court documents, the suits name 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, ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, and several officers attached to the unit as respondents.

One of the suits alleges that several women were arrested over accusations linked to their husbands’ alleged activities and subsequently detained for prolonged periods.

The applicants claim they were subjected to forced labour, including cooking, cleaning and construction-related tasks, while some were separated from their young children, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Another suit alleges that a nursing mother was separated from her infant after arrest and subjected to physical assault, coercion and unlawful withdrawal of money from her bank account.

According to the specific declarations and reliefs sought in Suit No: HOW/475/2026, the applicants are asking the court for: “A Declaration that the removal of Onyebuchi Anyanwu’s children – Peculiar Anyanwu [5 years], Ihuoma Anyanwu [8 years] and Onyinyechi Anyanwu [3 years] – and the removal of Chinenye Obi’s infant son of 1 year and 9 months, followed by the continuing failure to disclose their whereabouts, welfare and present custody, are unlawful and constitute continuing violations of the dignity and family rights of the mothers and children.”

A separate filing by a female applicant from Abia State accused officers of torture, sexual humiliation, denial of medical care and prolonged detention.

She is seeking compensation and disciplinary action against officers allegedly involved in the abuse.

In the fourth suit, a trader identified as Kenneth Anyanwu alleges he was shot from behind by a police officer while unarmed, resulting in severe injuries.

He further claims he was denied immediate medical attention and unlawfully deprived of personal funds during the incident.

The applicants are seeking various declarations, investigations, compensation and other reliefs, arguing that their constitutional rights were violated.

Commenting on the development, RULAAC Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the cases present an opportunity for the judiciary to examine longstanding allegations of abuse linked to the Tiger Base unit.

He stated that the proceedings would test Nigeria’s commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law, adding that victims of torture and unlawful detention deserve redress through lawful processes.

The four suits are expected to come up for hearing before the Imo State High Court in Owerri on August 5.