By Juliana Francis
The death toll of detainees held at the notorious Anti-Kidnapping Division, popularly known as Tiger Base in Owerri, Imo State, has risen following the mysterious death of Mr Magnus Ejiogu.
Ejiogu’s death comes amid growing concerns from human rights activists over the disappearance of over ₦4 million from the account of another detainee held at the same facility.
For years, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Oladimeji Adeyeyiwa, has faced allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and extortion.
Human rights defenders and legal advocates monitoring the unit’s activities have repeatedly called for ACP Adeyeyiwa’s removal and the shutdown of Tiger Base. However, both the Imo State Government and the Police Management Team under IGP Kayode Egbetokun have remained silent.
Activists have also demanded a full investigation into ACP Adeyeyiwa and his team, including a forensic audit of their bank accounts and assets before and after their posting to the unit.
Kevin Uzozie & Co., a law firm representing the Ejiogu family, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the alleged torture and death of Mr Ejiogu. In a letter dated October 30, 2025, addressed to the IGP at Force Headquarters, Abuja, the firm stated that Ejiogu was arrested on September 23, 2025, at the control Post in Owerri and detained by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad under ACP Adeyeyiwa’s supervision.
The petition alleges that Inspector Chidiebere Nwosu was assigned as the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), but throughout Ejiogu’s detention, his family and lawyers were denied access to him.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had earlier written to the IGP on September 27, 2025, expressing concern over Ejiogu’s alleged torture and incommunicado detention. The letter, received by the IGP’s office on September 29, reportedly yielded no action.
Despite police claims that investigations had concluded, the law firm insists Ejiogu was never charged in court. “Our suspicion that he has been killed in custody is very strong,” the petition reads. “As of today, Mr Magnus Ejiogu has not been charged in court, nor has anyone, including his family, been granted access to see him or provide him food.”
The firm described the conduct of the Anti-Kidnapping Division as “undesirable and highly suspicious,” urging the Nigeria Police Force to operate within the law and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
It called on the IGP to urgently investigate and compel the Owerri Anti-Kidnapping Squad to account for Ejiogu’s whereabouts. The lawyers warned that if the police fail to produce him by November 4, 2025, they will pursue all legal avenues to enforce his rights and seek justice.
Copies of the petition were sent to the Chief Judge of Imo State, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Zone 9, Umuahia), the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, the NHRC, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch.
Police Image Manager Denies Torture Allegations
In response, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Henry Okoye, denied allegations of torture, stating that Ejiogu was arrested in connection with terrorism and murder charges and received medical care before dying in a federal hospital.
“Let me make it clear, nobody touched Magnus Ejiogu. He was not touched,” Okoye said.
According to the police, Ejiogu was a key sponsor of Eastern Security Network (ESN) activities and was implicated in an attack on the Agua Divisional Headquarters, which led to the deaths of five police officers and a pregnant woman. He was also linked to the murder of a traditional ruler in the Agua community.
Following his arrest, Ejiogu was held with other suspects as investigations extended across multiple states. He was scheduled for arraignment but reportedly developed a sudden illness while in custody.
“In compliance with his right to medical treatment, we took him to the police clinic. From there, he was referred to the Federal Medical Centre due to the urgency of his condition,” Okoye explained.
He emphasised that all procedures were documented on video and that fellow inmates could confirm Ejiogu was not mistreated. “There are no marks of violence on his body. He was never tortured or brutalised,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further inquiry. Okoye also stated that an autopsy will be conducted if the family insists, to determine the exact cause of death.
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