Dare Babalola
The Imo State Police Command has strongly rejected claims of torture, organ harvesting, and unlawful killings by its personnel, describing the allegations as baseless and unfounded.
The Command dismissed a viral social media post alleging misconduct by its anti-kidnapping squad, stating the claims were fabricated, and aimed at deceiving the public.
This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Henry Okoye.
The statement clarified that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) is a legitimate police unit tasked with fighting kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and other violent crimes.
“It is not an illegal detention facility or a slaughter house, and all suspects are handled in line with the law.
“The Unit has successfully dismantled several notorious kidnapping and armed robbery syndicates, contributing to the improved peace and security that Imolites enjoy today.
“There is no credible evidence supporting the allegations of torture, organ harvesting, or extrajudicial killings. These narratives are considered part of a smear campaign by criminal elements affected by ongoing security operations,” Okoye insisted.
The PPRO condemned what he described the attempt to introduce ethnic sentiment into routine policing activities by targeting the Officer-in-Charge. “The Nigeria Police Force remains a national institution where officers serve across all regions.”
He submitted that ‘Tiger Base’ operates in synergy with other security agencies and community policing structures in ensuring accountability and transparency.
He added that to strengthen oversight of the unit, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has directed the immediate establishment of a Human Rights Desk within the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to ensure transparency and safeguard the rights of all persons handled by the unit.
Okoye added that CP Danjuma urged the people of Imo to disregard the false claims and to direct genuine complaints to the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), X-Squad, or the Human Rights Desk Unit domiciled at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
He warned individuals circulating false information to incite fear or undermine security efforts to desist, reminding that such acts violate the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
