A police staff 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 life, intimidation, and an alleged plot to dismiss her from service by the unit’s commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa.
Speaking with standarddailypress on Saturday, January 3, the staff alleged sustained humiliation and professional victimisation by ACP Odeyeyiwa, describing the situation as an abuse of power.
“I am being humiliated by ACP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, who is the commander of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Owerri, Imo State,” the police staff said.
She further alleged that she had been falsely accused of collaborating with activists and social commentators, including former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, VeryDarkMan, and Nonso Nkwa, to undermine Tiger Base over its alleged human rights abuses.
“I have been accused of working with Sowore, Nonso Nkwa and VeryDarkMan to bring Tiger Base down. I have proof,” she told standarddailypress.
According to her, she worked at Tiger Base for over five years without incident until problems began after she allegedly rejected a personal relationship proposed by the commander.
“I have worked in Tiger Base for years. Because I refused to go ahead with my relationship with Mr Ola, he has sworn to dismiss me from the job,” she alleged.
The police staff said she was transferred from Tiger Base to Egbema Division on October 18, 2025, a posting she described as dangerous due to repeated threats to her life.
“I was transferred to Egbema Division. I have been threatened with terrorism several times, which the commander knows about,” she said.
She explained that she contacted ACP Odeyeyiwa to express concerns about her safety and pleaded for a change in posting.
“I told him going there was a big risk. He assured me I should relax and that he would change the posting,” she said.
However, she claimed that despite waiting for weeks, nothing was done.
“I waited for weeks and he kept asking me to continue waiting, but nothing happened,” she added.
She said she later sought help from the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Imo State Government, CSP Shaba, whom she described as a close associate of the commander.
“I went to see CSP Shaba at Government House, but he told me to go back to the commander,” she said.
Months later, she alleged that she was informed by someone in the provost unit that her dismissal letter had already been typed.
“I was told that my dismissal letter had been prepared,” she said.
Attempts to reach ACP Odeyeyiwa, according to her, were unsuccessful, as she claimed he blocked her calls.
“I noticed he had blocked me. When I chatted him on WhatsApp, he replied and accused me of trying to get information to pass to VDM, Sowore, and Nonso Nkwa,” she recounted.
She further alleged that the commander openly discussed plans to dismiss her with his girlfriend, who reportedly shared the information with others.
“He told his girlfriend that he would dismiss me. I later realised that his earlier assurances were a scam,” she said.
Describing the atmosphere within the Imo State Police Command, the staff alleged that ACP Odeyeyiwa and CSP Shaba wield enormous influence.
“They are like gods in Imo State. Every police officer is afraid of them,” she said.
The police staff expressed fear for her life, claiming she possesses knowledge of serious misconduct within the unit but is afraid to speak out due to possible retaliation.
“I know a lot that is going on in that office, but I am afraid. They are deadly,” she said.
Appealing for urgent intervention, she said both her safety and livelihood were at risk.
“I am the breadwinner of my family and I don’t want anything to happen to them,” she added.
Efforts by stnadarddailypress 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.
