The Imo State Police Command has reacted to a viral social media publication (Not by MyNigeria) alleging that the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, with the operational call sign “Tiger Base,” engages in torture, organ trafficking, and extrajudicial killings.

Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, in a statement, said the Command categorically refutes these claims as false, unfounded, and intended to mislead the public.

Okoye said the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) is a legitimate tactical formation of the Nigeria Police Force mandated to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and other violent crimes. He said it is not an illegal detention facility or a slaughterhouse, and all suspects are handled in line with the law.

The PPRO said 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.

"The attempt to introduce ethnic sentiment into routine policing activities by targeting the Officer-in-Charge is condemned. The Nigeria Police Force remains a national institution where officers serve across all regions.

"Tiger Base operates in synergy with other security agencies and community policing structures, ensuring accountability and transparency," he said.

He further stated 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.

"The Commissioner of Police urges Imolites to disregard the false claims and to direct genuine complaints to the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), XSquad, or the Human Rights Desk Unit domiciled at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

"Individuals circulating false information to incite fear or undermine security efforts are warned to desist, as such acts violate the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015," Okoye said.

ASA