In Owerri: Tiger Base Arrested Man Relaxing at Home. His People Contributed N800,000 to Ransom Him
Pecohub Obinna Ikechukwu (not real name), a native of Nempi in Imo State, was arrested from his home in August 2024 by the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, commonly referred to as ‘Tiger Base’.
No reason was given for his arrest. He was taken to their Owerri office, detained for two weeks, and later released only after he paid a ransom of N800,000.
Speaking with FIJ on Tuesday, a friend of the ex-detainee who asked not to be named, otherwise both he and the ex-detainee would be killed, said other innocent community members were also arbitrarily arrested by Tiger Base, detained for days, and released only after their families paid substantial ransoms in August 2024.
“Shortly after I left Nempi following my mother’s burial, I was shocked to hear that my long-time friend, Ikechukwu, had been arrested and detained by Tiger Base police officers,” he told FIJ.
“Ikechukwu’s wife called, distraught, saying they demanded N800,000 for his release.
“He committed no offence. He is an elderly man, probably in his late 60s. They arrested him in his own house, relaxing, during one of their unlawful raids. After that, they took him to their Owerri office. This happened in August 2024.
“Initially, the Tiger Base raided our village and arrested over 21 people, including men and women, in the first incident. After ransom payments, they were released.
“In the second raid, they arrested over 30 people, including our traditional ruler. My friend was among those arrested in the second raid.”
‘I PAID N80,000 TOWARDS MY FRIEND’S N800,000 RANSOM’
He told FIJ he contributed N80,000 to his friend’s N800,00 ransom despite not having much money at the time before Tiger Base officers eventually released him.
“I personally contributed N80,000 to the ransom before my friend was released after two weeks in detention,” he told FIJ.
“Everyone who was arrested came out only after paying. None of them was freed without money. Some people were released within three days of their arrest after paying ransoms ranging from N60,000 to N2,000,000.
“In fact, a popular businessman in our village paid N2,000,000 before being released. The release time depended on when the ransom was paid.
“To this day, those arrested by Tiger Base who can’t pay disappear or return home severely injured. In some villages, nearly every young person has been a victim of Tiger Base’s actions.”
‘TIGER BASE ARRESTS PEOPLE INDISCRIMINATELY’
Continuing, he said: “Typically, Tiger Base operations involve invading a village in a convoy, arresting people indiscriminately without reason.
“For instance, my friend was not involved in anything illegal. He was just unlucky to be outside when they raided. They do not normally investigate; they just arrest and accuse you of being an IPOB member.
“They can arrest people from shops, farms, markets, and even public spaces like football pitches. Okada riders, Keke-Napep operators, and car drivers are also targeted, with hundreds taken to Tiger Base in Owerri.
“In my village, they even arrested people attending a funeral, labelling the food and venue as supplies for insurgents. Some villages have been raided multiple times, leaving them virtually abandoned.
“The villages of Amagu, Akuma, Awo Omamma, Ubulu, Nempi, Okporo, Ebenator, Iheoma, Aro-Ndizuogu, Akatta, and Umutanze have been terrorised by Tiger Base.
“People died. People were extorted. People were maimed. Tiger Base is a terror unit, not a police unit. Unfortunately, most of us cannot speak up publicly.”
When last FIJ called Henry Okoye, spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, for comments over the litany of abuses against Tiger Base, he urged the reporter to compile all of FIJ’s complaints against Tiger Base and forward them to Aboki Danjuma, the commissioner of police, through him.
“I don’t know about this matter, but I want us to address all these concerns. Here is what I want you to do for me now. I know you have many concerns you want to address, and I want to sincerely appreciate you for the remarkable professionalism you have shown,” Okoye told FIJ.
“Please list out all these concerns in a cover letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, stating clearly that you want him to explain the exact scenarios in all these matters. List them one after the other.
“Once you list them, I will send it to him and call him on the phone, as well as the Commander of Anti-Kidnapping, so they can respond to all those points and you can have the facts.”
FIJ
