By: Sunday Ameh
The family of Magnus Ejiogu, a resident of Obudi Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, has accused officers of the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, known as Tiger Base, of torturing him to death while in detention.
Ejiogu was arrested on September 23, 2025, at Control Post in Owerri and allegedly held incommunicado until October 27, when the family was informed of his death.
According to relatives, he was detained on allegations linked to the killing of a traditional ruler in the community, a crime they insist he knew nothing about. They claim officers repeatedly denied them and his lawyers access to him until his death.
The squad is headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police identified as ACP Ola. The family alleges that Inspector Chidiebere Nwosu served as the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and participated in the torture.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) confirmed it had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police in September after receiving complaints that Ejiogu was being tortured and denied legal access. The NHRC said the IGP granted a request for the case to be transferred to Abuja for an impartial investigation, but Ejiogu remained in custody at Tiger Base.
An NHRC official, speaking anonymously, said the commission strongly suspected foul play after police blocked all access and failed to charge the suspect to court.
“They killed Magnus in detention,” the source alleged, adding that police later claimed to have concluded investigations without presenting him before any court.
Efforts to obtain comments from ACP Ola were unsuccessful. Calls and messages placed to his phone were not returned at the time of filing this report.
The family is demanding justice and is calling on the federal government and human rights organisations to ensure an independent probe into the incident.
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