The Security Situation Room (SSR) has expressed grave concern over the disturbing allegations contained in the recent report by Amnesty International detailing alleged torture, extortion, unlawful detention and deaths in custody at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Owerri, popularly known as Tiger Base.
In a democratic society governed by the rule of law, the hallmark of justice is the certainty of due process. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly provides that any person arrested for an alleged offence must either be granted bail or charged before a competent court of law within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the circumstances. This constitutional provision exists to prevent arbitrary detention and abuse of state power.
However, testimonies emerging from the Amnesty International (AI) investigation suggesting that detainees were held for weeks without trial, subjected to torture, extortion and degrading treatment, and in some cases dying mysteriously in custody raise serious concerns about the operations of the facility.
Reports that detainees were subjected to brutal treatment including beatings, stress positions, starvation and other forms of coercion, as well as accounts of severely overcrowded detention cells and the alleged deaths of multiple detainees in custody, represent a grave affront to the rule of law and the protection of fundamental human rights.
Nigeria is not a failed state, and institutions entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing the law must themselves operate strictly within the framework of the law. Law enforcement agencies are empowered to combat crime and protect citizens, but these powers must never be exercised in ways that undermine justice or violate human dignity.
In light of the seriousness of these allegations, the Security Situation Room is calling for the immediate dismantling of the Tiger Base facility in its current operational structure pending a full and transparent investigation into the claims of human rights abuses.
The SSR further calls for the immediate removal and investigation of the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, ACP Oladimeji Adeyeyiwa, whose leadership of the Unit places him within the scope of accountability in relation to the allegations raised.
Additionally, the SSR is demanding a comprehensive audit and investigation into all detention records, torture allegations, and reported deaths linked to the Tiger Base facility within the last four years, with the aim of ensuring that those responsible for any wrongdoing are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The SSR urges the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Police Service Commission (PSC), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and other relevant oversight institutions to act swiftly and transparently in addressing these allegations.
Families of victims deserve justice, and Nigerians deserve the assurance that police detention facilities will never become centres of unlawful detention, torture or extrajudicial punishment.
Accountability is the cornerstone of democracy. Any officer found culpable must face the full weight of the law, while institutional reforms must be implemented to ensure that such violations never recur.
The SSR remains committed to promoting accountability, justice, and the protection of human rights in Nigeria.
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