Tiger Base operatives accused of extorting ₦3 million from man reportedly cleared by DIG
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Inspector General of Police to urgently intervene in what it describes as a disturbing pattern of alleged extortion, harassment, unlawful arrests, and abuse of power by operatives attached to the Imo police command anti-kidnapping unit also known as Tiger Base.
In a letter dated May 7, 2026 RULAAC Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma raised alarm over repeated raids on Umuonyeka community in Ihitteaforukwu, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area.
The group linked the latest developments to the earlier arrest and shooting of two residents, Mr. Kenneth Anyanwu and Mr. Uchechukwu Maduakolam.
In the letter, RULAAC alleges that Tiger Base operatives are targeting residents whose phone numbers were allegedly found on Maduakolam’s phone.
It said one resident, Mr. Jude Egwim Ezeala, was reportedly arrested on similar grounds, extorted of ₦3 million, and released only after payment — despite a directive reportedly by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (FCID) for his release following an interview that found the allegations frivolous.
The advocacy group further reported that Tiger Base operatives conducted raids on the community on April 30 and May 6, 2026, in search of individuals including young entrepreneur Mr. Chidi Anyanwu and former APC chairman Chief Ethelbert Ugwuh. It said there are growing fears that Chief Ugwuh may have been arrested and is currently being held without access to his family or lawyer, as all efforts to reach him have failed.
The petition also highlighted alleged collaboration between some community actors and the police. It noted that the name of the traditional ruler, Eze Okwudiri Nwandu, has been conspicuously absent from the list of targets, despite reported prior contacts with Maduakolam. It added that community sources allegedly claimed that the traditional ruler’s secretary, Mr. Emeka Emetubelem, submitted a list of perceived dissidents to the operatives.
On the health condition of Mr. Kenneth Anyanwu, who sustained gunshot wounds during his arrest, RULAAC expressed disappointment over unfulfilled promises of medical support by both the traditional ruler and the Imo State Commissioner of Police. The group noted that the traditional ruler had publicly declared Anyanwu innocent in a video but has since not provided any assistance.
The petition further demanded the refund of ₦47,000 allegedly taken from Anyanwu by the operative who shot him, whom it identified, and called for disciplinary action against the officer.
The CSO made other demands, which included; the immediate halt to the alleged harassment and extortion in Umuonyeka community, urgent and comprehensive medical care for Kenneth Anyanwu, disclosure of the whereabouts and condition of Uchechukwu Maduakolam, with prompt charging if there is evidence against him and investigation into alleged collaboration between community actors and police operatives.
Other demands include; full investigation into the disappearance of Chief Ethelbert Ugwuh and action against the officer who allegedly shot Anyanwu.
