A police officer attached to the controversial Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, popularly known as Tiger Base, Owerri, has raised alarm over alleged threats to her life and an ongoing plan to dismiss her from service, which she claims is being orchestrated by the unit’s commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa.
Speaking with SaharaReporters on Saturday, January 3, the officer accused the commander of sustained intimidation, humiliation, and professional victimisation, describing the situation as an abuse of power that has left her fearful for her safety and future.
“I am being humiliated by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, who is the commander of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Owerri, Imo State,” she said.
The officer further alleged that she has been falsely accused of working with activists and social commentators, including former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, VeryDarkMan, and Nonso Nkwa, to expose and bring down Tiger Base over its alleged excesses.
“I have been accused of working with Sowore, Nonso Nkwa and VeryDarkMan to bring Tiger Base down. I have proof,” she told SaharaReporters.
She explained that she had worked at Tiger Base for over five years without issues until a personal fallout with the commander, which she said marked the beginning of her ordeal.
“I have worked in Tiger Base for years. Because I refused to go ahead with a relationship with Mr Ola, he has sworn to dismiss me from the job,” she alleged.
According to her, she was transferred from Tiger Base to Egbema Division on October 18, 2025, a posting she described as extremely dangerous due to repeated threats to her life.
“I was transferred from Tiger Base to Egbema Division. I have been threatened with terrorism several times, which the commander knows about,” she said.
She said she contacted the commander to express concerns about her safety and pleaded for a change in posting.
“That means that going there was a big risk, so I called the commander and pleaded with him to change my posting, and he assured me that I should relax and that he would do it,” she explained.
However, she claimed the promise was never fulfilled. “I waited for weeks. He kept telling me to wait, but nothing happened.”
In search of help, she said she approached the Chief Security Officer to the Imo State Government, CSP Shaba, whom she described as a close associate of the commander, but was allegedly told to return to ACP Odeyeyiwa.
Months later, the officer said she was shocked to learn that her dismissal letter had already been prepared.
“Weeks passed, months passed, and someone from the provost’s office told me that my dismissal letter had been typed,” she said.
She alleged that when she tried to reach the commander, she discovered she had been blocked.
“I called him and noticed he had blocked me. I then messaged him on WhatsApp, and he replied. When I pleaded to speak with him, he said, ‘go ahead. You want to get more information from me so you can pass it to VDM, Sowore, or Nonso Nkwa?’” she recounted.
The officer further claimed that the commander openly discussed plans to dismiss her with his girlfriend, who allegedly went around telling people.
“I didn’t know that telling me to relax and promising to return me to Tiger Base was all a scam,” she said.
Describing the power dynamics within the Imo State Police Command, the officer alleged that ACP Odeyeyiwa and CSP Shaba wield enormous influence that instils fear among officers.
“CSO Shaba and Oladimeji are like gods in Imo State. Every police officer is afraid of them. No one comes close,” she claimed.
She expressed deep fear for her life, saying she is aware of serious alleged misconduct within the unit but is scared to speak out due to possible retaliation.
“I know a lot of things going on in that office, but I am afraid because they are deadly. When I say deadly, they are,” she said.
Appealing for urgent intervention, the officer said both her safety and livelihood are at risk.
“I need urgent help in every way. I am the breadwinner of my family, and I don’t want anything to happen to them,” she added.
Efforts by SaharaReporters to reach the Imo State Police Command, ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, and CSP Shaba for comments on the allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
