POLICE AND THE REPORT ON TORTURE The ‘Tiger Base’ Police Unit in Owerri should be investigated

A recent report by Amnesty International on a police unit in Owerri, Imo State capital, deserves attention. The unit is allegedly involved in rampant violations, including extrajudicial executions, torture, and extortion. Titled, ‘Tiger Base of Atrocities: Human Rights Violations by Nigeria Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Owerri’, the report details how “detainees are kept in filthy, windowless cells and subjected to regular beatings,” while “many are locked up for weeks or months, without charge. Others have been shot or forcibly disappeared.” According to the report, a unit established to tackle kidnapping and armed robbery has instead been unlawfully killing suspects, torturing detainees to coerce them into confessing to bogus crimes, and arresting people for the sole purpose of extracting lucrative bribes for their release.

Raccontata dathisdaylive.com