The lamentations of Imo people over the unlawful arrests, torture, harassment and intimidation of youths by operatives of the Tiger Base Unit of the Imo State Police Command has taken a frightening dimension as the operatives recently invaded the popular Nempi market in Oru West Local Government Area of the state where they arrested 8 youths who they accused of being members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN). It was also gathered that many houses, cars and other properties were burnt in the process.
Reports from an eyewitness account indicate that some of the victims,were mainly traders and those who came to buy food stuffs when the Tiger Base operatives stormed the area in a Gestapo style and started beating and manhandling every youth in sight.
An elderly man who was not comfortable with what was happening, queried them about the unpleasant scenario, was also arrested and whisked away alongside the youths to Owerri, the State capital.
This, according to the source, has caused tension in the community in addition to giving credence to disturbing reports about the reprehensible activities of the Tiger Base operatives who reportedly do not function in line with the rules of engagement.
The Coordinator, Imo Justice Coalition, Comrade Wisdom Nwabialu, in a chat with our correspondent, described Tiger Base Unit as an arm of the Imo State Police Command that is creating bad name for the commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Aboki Danjuma, who he said is doing a very good job. He however regretted that few individuals are rubbishing the excellent job the Imo CP is doing since he assumed office.
He called for the sack of the Tiger Commander, Ola, who he said, has become a willing tool for politicians who use him to settle scores and incriminate their targets, by tagging them criminals of different kinds
The group further stated that there have also been cases where young people are arrested and taken to POS operators and compelled to withdraw money with which to secure their release.
“The reports are in the public domain, yet the authorities have done nothing about it. Some of those arrested by Tiger Base Operatives at Nempi in Oru West LGA are, Uche Onyekwere, Youth Leader, Augustine Okafor (Emotion), Israel Ezeanochie, Izunna Agukwere, Chima Agubuokwu, Uche Udeozor, Dr Celestine Orji-Bex Memo Hospital, and Aloysius Nwanti a retired Local Government Council staff, who hails from Eleh community.
In the same vein, those whose houses were vandalized and household properties carted away, include, Nzubechukwu from Umuezike, Nempi, Ndubuisi Aniri, also fro Umuezike, Nempi, late Chief Ezeanochie’s family church at Ubahadara, Nempi, and Benjamin Agbodike, from Umuogiabia, Nempi among others”.
