Maryam Aminu
Once under intense scrutiny by human rights advocates and critics, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Imo State popularly known as Tiger Base is now earning public recognition for its role in restoring security and dismantling organized criminal networks across the state.
Under the leadership of CSP Ola Odeyeyiwa, the unit has shifted from a controversial security outfit to a highly effective crime-fighting team, operating at the heart of Imo’s security resurgence. Once plagued by rampant kidnappings, militant activity, and public distrust, Imo is witnessing what many are calling a quiet revolution in law enforcement.
A recent high-profile rescue operation underscored the unit’s evolving efficiency. On June 21, 2025, Tiger Base operatives successfully rescued Mr. Anayo Iwuoha, abducted from his residence in Akabo, Ikeduru Local Government Area. The operation led to a swift raid in Ochii Ogwa, Mbaitolu LGA, where two notorious kidnappers Uche Nwachukwu and Chinonso Ozuruigbo were apprehended.
Authorities recovered a cache of weapons including a pump-action gun, live cartridges, an improvised explosive device, and chains used to restrain the victim.
“This was not just a rescue,” said a senior officer. “It was a message kidnappers will no longer operate freely in Imo.”
In a major offensive between October 19 and 23, 2024, the unit launched a series of coordinated raids against militant camps linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Oru-East and Oru-West LGAs.
The raids resulted in the arrest of over 20 suspects and the seizure of an arsenal including five pump-action guns, grenades, and over 60 rounds of live ammunition. Multiple terror cells were dismantled, marking one of the most successful operations against separatist-linked armed groups in recent times.
In line with directives from the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, the unit has shifted toward proactive intelligence-led policing. On August 21, 2024, operatives rescued a kidnapped woman from Obinze Forest and arrested five suspects armed with dangerous weapons. Another operation in Mbaise on October 11, 2024, busted a gang involved in both kidnapping and car theft, exposing a wider criminal network and recovering stolen vehicles.
“These operations are not random; they’re coordinated responses to specific intelligence,” a source within the unit revealed.
Despite initial skepticism, the unit is gradually winning over public support. Traditional leaders and community stakeholders are voicing their approval, with some calling for sustained government support.
“Those criticizing them are mostly political actors who benefit from instability,” said Eze Fabian Nworgu, a traditional ruler in the state. “Since the Tiger Base was carved out from the SCID, we have breathed easier. They should not be discouraged by selfish voices.”
With a focus on visibility, inter-agency collaboration, tactical intelligence, and rapid response, the Tiger Base has emerged as a formidable deterrent to crime. While concerns over rights abuses remain in public discourse, the growing evidence of operational success is tilting the narrative.
In the words of a senior police source: “We are not just fighting crime; we are rebuilding trust.”
Africa Security Investigation News 