The Imo Police Command has reacted to claims that its Anti-kidnapping unit otherwise known as Tiger Base was involved in torture, organ trafficking, and extrajudicial k!llings. Social media users have described the unit as a 'slaughter house where the security agents use their power to abuse Nigerians and carry out nefarious activities including organ harvesting. Reacting to the claims, the police public relations officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Henry Okoye, in a statement released, denied the allegations. Tiger Base is a legitimate tactical formation of the Nigeria Police Force mandated to combat 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 Imo residents enjoy today, the PPRO said He further stated that there was no credible evidence supporting the allegations of torture, organ harvesting, or extrajudicial k!llings. He explained that the false narratives were part of a smear campaign by criminal elements affected by the current security operations. The commands spokesman further criticised an 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. Tiger Base operates in synergy with other security agencies and community policing structures, ensuring accountability and transparency.To strengthen oversight of the unit, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, 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 restated the CPs call on the Imo residents to disregard the false claims and direct genuine complaints to the Complaints Response Unit, XSquad, or the Human Rights Desk Unit domiciled in the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. He warned individuals circulating false information to incite fear or undermine security efforts to desist, stating that such acts violate the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
0 Comments