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Kenneth Anyanwu, who says he was a victim of the now-disbanded Tiger Base Unit in Imo State, has recounted a disturbing experience that he claims nearly cost him his life while in the custody of operatives attached to the controversial security outfit
Speaking during an interview with DW News on Friday, June 12, 2026, Anyanwu detailed the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention, adding his voice to a growing number of individuals who have alleged abuse at the hands of the former police unit. The Tiger Base Unit was widely criticized before its dissolution amid accusations of torture, unlawful detention, intimidation, and other human rights violations.
According to Anyanwu, his ordeal began during a village meeting where he allegedly had an encounter with a police officer. He claimed that the situation escalated when the officer physically assaulted him, after which security operatives took him into custody.
Recounting the incident, Anyanwu alleged that he was subjected to severe mistreatment shortly after his arrest. He claimed that after being beaten, he was forced into the trunk of a vehicle and left there for several hours under extremely distressing conditions. During that period, he said he endured intense pain, fear, and uncertainty about whether he would survive.
The victim explained that being confined inside the vehicle’s trunk left him feeling helpless and convinced that his life was in immediate danger. According to him, the conditions were so harsh that he believed he could die before receiving any form of assistance.
Anyanwu further alleged that when the operatives eventually opened the trunk, they appeared surprised to discover that he was still alive. He claimed that one of the officers made a chilling remark that reinforced his belief that he had narrowly escaped death.
“They were surprised when they opened the boot and saw that I was alive. One had the guts to ask me, ‘Are you still alive or do you still need one bullet?’” he recalled.
According to Anyanwu, the statement left a lasting impression on him and convinced him that his safety had never been guaranteed during the ordeal. He said the experience remains deeply traumatic and continues to affect him emotionally and psychologically years after the incident.
His account is one of several testimonies that have emerged concerning the activities of the Tiger Base Unit, a security outfit that operated in Imo State before being disbanded. Over the years, residents, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates raised concerns about the conduct of some of its operatives, alleging widespread abuses and violations of fundamental rights.
As more former detainees continue to come forward with their experiences, calls for accountability and justice have persisted. For victims like Anyanwu, the memories of their encounters with the unit remain painful reminders of a period they say was marked by fear, uncertainty, and alleged abuse of power.
