AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FLAGS IMO “TIGER BASE,” VOWS PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF ALLEGED RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
14- DEC- 2025

Amnesty International has announced plans to make public, within the week, a comprehensive report detailing alleged human rights violations at the Tiger Base detention facility in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The organisation said its findings point to what it described as deep-rooted and disturbing practices that raise serious concerns about the conduct of security operations and the protection of fundamental rights.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the Country Director of Amnesty International in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, stated that the group’s investigations, carried out over several months, uncovered accounts that suggest a pattern of abuse at the facility. He described the allegations as severe and warned that their implications extend beyond Imo State to Nigeria’s broader human rights reputation.

According to Sanusi, Amnesty International believes that the continued operation of facilities accused of such practices undermines public trust in the justice and security system. He stressed that the organisation is releasing its findings in the interest of transparency and public awareness, noting that citizens have a right to know how detention centres are being run.

The rights body also called on relevant authorities to respond promptly to the allegations, emphasizing the need for independent scrutiny and accountability where violations are established. Amnesty maintained that addressing such concerns decisively is essential to restoring confidence in law enforcement institutions.

Beyond the situation in Imo State, the organisation also commented on recent political developments in West Africa, including the attempted coup in the Benin Republic. Sanusi clarified that Amnesty’s position is not driven by political interests but by concern for the human rights consequences that often accompany military interventions and political instability.

He observed that military takeovers frequently result in the erosion of civil liberties and the suspension of democratic safeguards, adding that the recurring instability in the sub-region highlights the urgent need to strengthen democratic institutions and governance structures. According to him, democracy remains the most reliable framework for safeguarding human rights when it functions effectively and delivers justice to citizens.

Amnesty International further noted that it will continue to monitor developments in Benin and other parts of the region while sustaining its focus on domestic human rights issues in Nigeria. The organisation reiterated that the protection of human dignity must remain paramount, regardless of political or security challenges.

Sanusi concluded by stating that the forthcoming report on the Tiger Base facility should be seen as a call for introspection and reform, stressing that accountability within Nigeria is closely linked to the country’s standing and credibility on the international stage.