- Safiu Kehinde
Human Rights group, Amnesty International Nigeria, has released reports revealing how the notorious Tiger Base Police Unit in Oweri, Imo State, framed three youth leaders of murder after torturing a suspect to death in their custody.
Amnesty in a statement issued on its official X handle on Monday recounted how the youth leaders had handed over the late suspect identified as, Okechukwu Ogbedagu, to the unit following his arrest.
Following Ogbedagu’s death in Tiger Base custody after three months of detention, autopsy report revealed that the deceased victim suffered from severe neck injuries which indicated that his neck was forcibly compressed and violently bent or twisted while in custody of the Tiger Base unit.
“Our investigation reveals that in 2022, three youth leaders handed over a suspect to the Tiger Base unit. About three months later, the suspect, a young man, Okechukwu Ogbedagu, died in detention.
“Amnesty International reviewed an autopsy report which revealed that the deceased victim suffered severe injuries to the neck, including broken neck bones, bleeding around the neck, and damage consistent with strong pressure applied to the neck.
“These injuries indicate that the neck was forcibly compressed and violently bent or twisted. Such actions would have blocked breathing and blood flow to the brain, leading to suffocation.
“This demonstrates that the deceased may have been subjected to torture and ill-treatment.” Amnesty wrote.
However, the police unit reportedly accused the youth leaders of the suspect’s murder and detained them for six months in a bid to cover up their atrocity.
“To cover up this atrocity, Tiger Base officials charged with murder the three youth leaders who reported the deceased.
“They were eventually released on bail after spending six months in deplorable conditions in Tiger Base detention cells.” The statement read further.
Amnesty International further disclosed the outcome of its investigation of another victim who died in Tiger Base detention on the 6th of May 2025.
According to the group, the victim, identified as Japhet Njoku, a security guard, was accused of theft and detained by the notorious police unit.
Following his death in custody, Njoku’s family challenged the Tiger Base unit as they demanded answers on the cause of the victim’s death.
The unit allegedly informed the family that Njoku was beaten to death in the cell by other inmates.
However, as against Tiger Base narrative, autopsy report revealed that Njoku died from severe pneumonia which altered his breathing.
He was reportedly detained under harsh condition with no proper medical care.
“However, an autopsy report reviewed by Amnesty International revealed that he died from severe pneumonia, which impaired his breathing and significantly reduced oxygen levels.
“He had been held for several months in a Tiger Base cell under harsh, cold, and unsanitary conditions, without proper medical care, conditions that likely contributed to his death.” The statement read.
Amnesty further recounted the Tiger Base attempt to obstruct the autopsy process.
“Before the coroner‑ordered autopsy to determine the cause of death could be conducted, Tiger Base officials repeatedly obstructed the process.” Amnesty added.