A petition submitted to the Take It Back (TIB) Movement has raised serious allegations of torture, starvation and unexplained disappearances of detainees at the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, commonly known as Tiger Base, in Owerri.
The petitioner, Augustine Sixtus Nwaiwu, claimed he was unlawfully arrested, detained without trial and subjected to inhumane treatment by officers of the unit.
According to the petition, Nwaiwu was arrested on September 9, 2025, without a warrant, formal charge or explanation, and was held in custody for 10 days without being taken before a court, an action he said violated his constitutional right to personal liberty.
Nwaiwu alleged that during his detention, he was subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse, including being denied food and clean drinking water throughout his stay in custody.
He described the detention facility as overcrowded, poorly ventilated and unhygienic, with narrow cells that he said were unfit for human habitation.
In one of the most troubling claims, the petitioner stated that several detainees collapsed due to hunger, heat and suffocating conditions, after which they were taken out of the cell and never returned.
He said the incident raised serious concerns about the safety and fate of the affected detainees, warning of possible extrajudicial actions.
Nwaiwu further alleged that the conduct of the officers involved violated multiple laws, including Sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution, the Police Act, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Anti-Torture Act, as well as international human rights conventions ratified by Nigeria.
He described the alleged actions as a gross abuse of power and a violation of his fundamental rights to dignity, freedom from torture and lawful detention.
In his appeal, Nwaiwu called on the Take It Back Movement to intervene by pushing for an independent investigation into the activities of officers at Tiger Base, demanding accountability for those responsible and seeking clarification on the whereabouts of the detainees who allegedly disappeared.
He also requested compensation, a public apology and reforms aimed at preventing future abuses within the unit.
Human rights groups have previously raised concerns over alleged torture and unlawful detention at the Tiger Base Anti-Kidnapping Unit, allegations which the police have repeatedly denied.
The petition adds to growing public scrutiny of detention practices in Imo State, particularly claims that suspects are held in harsh conditions without due process.
