The Rule of Law and Accountability Centre (RULAAC), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has petitioned Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, over the “enforced disappearance and alleged extrajudicial killing of an Imo resident, Mr Johnbosco Onuocha.
The petition is contained in an open letter by the Centre’s Executive Director, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, made available to newsmen in Owerri.
The letter reads thus :
“ Petition on the Enforced Disappearance and Alleged Extrajudicial Killing of Mr. Onuocha Johnbosco by Tiger Base Operatives in Imo State
“ I write on behalf of the family of Mr. Onuocha Johnbosco, an indigene of Umuoni,
Ihiteafoukwu, in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, to formally petition the Nigeria Police Force concerning the unlawful arrest, incommunicado detention, enforced disappearance, and subsequent alleged extrajudicial killing of their son and brother, Onuocha Johnbosco, reportedly carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, also known as Tiger Base, in Owerri, Imo State.
RULAAC has been informed as follows:
- That on Saturday, 31st May 2025, at his place of business in Ekeziama, Ahiazu Mbaise, Mr. Johnbosco was approached by unknown men in a white Sienna vehicle who posed as customers. Without identifying themselves or stating the purpose of their visit, the men suddenly handcuffed him and whisked him away after shouting, “Catch him, na him.” They looted equipment and documents from his office before leaving. When community members tried to intervene, the operatives fired sporadically into the air to disperse them.
- That immediately after his abduction, his family members reported the incident at the Ahiazu Mbaise Police Station, where the officials at the station informed them that no such arrest had been registered. The initial confusion and denial continued for days. Community members and witnesses suggested the operatives might be from Tiger Base in Owerri.
- That from Monday, 2nd June 2025, their family made multiple visits to various police formations in Imo State, including the State CID, Tiger Base, and the Command headquarters. They paid ₦3,000 at the Police Control Room for an all-station alert, but no division confirmed his detention.
- That shockingly, on 4th June, they discovered an online publication by the Imo State Police Command dated 3rd June alleging that Mr. Johnbosko was apprehended after a shoot-out with police officers and was found with items linked to IPOB/ESN.
“This narrative was clearly fabricated, as several witnesses, including community members, had already attested that he was abducted peacefully from his business premises without incident.
- That despite repeated visits to Tiger Base with family members and legal counsel, including visits facilitated by a respected radio journalist and human rights activist, Mr. Nonso Nkwa, the operatives continued to deny his presence.
“ Eventually, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) admitted to Mr. Nonso that Mr. Johnbosco was indeed in their custody. Following this, Tiger Base Commander Ola reportedly admitted to Mr. Nonso Nkwa that Mr. Johnbosko was shot while attempting to escape and died in their custody.
- That however, his body has not been produced, no official notification has been given to the family, and there has been no investigation into the incident or the initial denials.
“ Although the same commander Ola, admitted to Johnbosco’s father that his operatives raided and burned their family home on two occasions, he contradicted himself when he told Nonso Nkwa that it was an angry community mob that carried out the arson, acts which had previously gone unpunished due to lack of clear attribution and the breakdown of law enforcement structures during the height of insecurity in Imo State.
The family considers the actions of the operatives of Tiger Base and the Imo State Police Command to be in flagrant violation of:
- Sections 33 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution (Right to Life and Personal Liberty);
- The Anti-Torture Act, 2017;
Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture;
The Nigeria Police Force’s own operational guidelines and the Police Act, 2020.
The family, therefore, respectfully demands the following:
- Immediate investigation by the IGP’s Monitoring Unit or Force Criminal Investigation Department into the unlawful arrest, incommunicado detention, and alleged extrajudicial killing of Mr. Onuocha Johnbosco.
- Disclosure of the whereabouts of his remains and a formal release of his body to the family for a dignified burial.
- Prosecution of all police officers found to have been involved in the unlawful abduction, detention, torture, and killing of Mr. Johnbosco.
- Full accountability for the looting of his business and destruction of their family home, including compensation for the damages and trauma inflicted.
- An apology and public retraction of the defamatory publication by the Imo State Police Command, falsely accusing Mr. Johnbosco of terrorism and criminality.
- Institutional disciplinary action against Commander Ola and any other officer who participated in concealing the unlawful act, lying to the public, and obstructing justice.
“ The family further informed us that they have suffered immensely from this unlawful and inhumane treatment of their son.
“ RULAAC calls on your office to uphold the rule of law, prevent further abuse by rogue police elements, and restore public trust in the Nigeria Police Force by ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
“ Please consider this matter urgent. We are also forwarding this petition to the National Human Rights Commission, the Police Service Commission, and reputable civil society and international human rights organisations.
Nwanguma said that the Centre would respectfully await the I-G’s timely intervention.