The Imo State Police Command has dismissed recent media claims alleging that its Anti-Kidnapping Unit engages in extortion and mistreatment of detainees at the Tiger Base, located within the Command’s headquarters.
In a statement issued by the State Police Command’s Spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, the police force strongly refuted the allegations detailed in a report titled “Investigation Exposes Alarming Abuse of Detainees at Police’s Tiger Base.”
Okoye clarified that the Command firmly rejects these claims, emphasizing that the report lacked factual backing and did not accurately represent the activities of the police unit.
“It is crucial to emphasize that the author did not take the necessary steps to verify the allegations with the Imo State Police Command before publishing.
“The allegations, attributed to complainants using pseudo names, have been investigated and found out to be misleading and unfounded,” he stated.
Expressing concerns about the credibility of the report, Okoye pointed out that its publication without due verification raised questions about journalistic integrity.
He stressed that the Command remains committed to upholding legal protocols in handling suspects, ensuring that their rights are respected at all times.
He also reiterated that the police are open to addressing any genuine grievances through the Complaint Response Unit, assuring the public of transparent investigations into any allegations of misconduct.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, assures the public that all complaints will be thoroughly investigated and confidentially treated, and any officer found culpable will face severe disciplinary sanctions.
“In light of this, the Commissioner of Police urges all media personnel, especially print correspondents, to verify their reports with the State Police Command before publishing,” he further stated.
Okoye cautioned against the spread of unverified information, stating that misleading reports not only damage public trust but also undermine the integrity of the police force.
