Family Accuses Imo Police of Killing /Burying Businessman Johnbosco
A native of Umuoni, Ihiteafoukwu in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, The family of the late Mr. Onuocha Johnbosco is demanding justice over his alleged extrajudicial killing by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, popularly known as Tiger Base, in Owerri. According to sources, by the time the police acknowledged his detention, Johnbosco had already been killed and allegedly buried in a shallow grave.
Fusion Chronicles Reporters learned that Johnbosco, a well-known businessman operating in Ekeziama, Ahiazu Mbaise, was abducted on May 31, 2025, from his shop by unidentified men in a white Toyota Sienna, who posed as customers.
“The men, who was later understood to be operatives attached to the infamous Tiger Base, suddenly handcuffed him and whisked him away after shouting, ‘Catch him, it’s him,'” the family alleged in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Despite several visits to different police formations — including the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and the Tiger Base — officers repeatedly denied having Johnbosco in their custody.
SaharaReporters learned that a police officer later confessed to respected radio journalist and human rights activist, Mr. Nonso Nkwa, that Johnbosco was indeed in police custody.
According to sources, by the time the police acknowledged his detention, Johnbosco had already been killed and allegedly buried in a shallow grave. The Commander of the Tiger Base, identified as Ola, reportedly told Mr. Nkwa that Johnbosco was shot while allegedly attempting to escape and died in custody.
One of the sources said, “On June 2, 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.
“Shockingly, on June 4, they discovered an online publication by the Imo State Police Command dated June 3, alleging that Mr. Johnbosco was apprehended after a shoot-out with police officers and was found with items linked to IPOB/ESN (Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network).”
“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,” the source said.
“Despite multiple visits to Tiger Base by family members and legal counsel, some of which were facilitated by respected radio journalist and human rights activist, Mr. Nonso Nkwa, the operatives persistently denied holding him,” the source said.
“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.”
Fusion Chronicle Reporters notes that this is not the first time operatives of the Tiger Base have faced allegations of extrajudicial killings.
In recent months, Imo State has witnessed a surge in reports of police brutality, with families calling for justice and some even demanding the closure of the notorious facility, often referred to as a “slaughterhouse.”
In the case of Mr. Johnbosco, his family is demanding a full-scale investigation, the immediate disclosure and release of his remains, and the prosecution of all police officers involved in his death.
They are also seeking accountability for the looting of his business, the destruction of their family home, and an official apology, including a public retraction of what they describe as a defamatory statement issued by the Imo State Police Command.
Additionally, they are calling for disciplinary action against Commander Ola and any other officer implicated in the cover-up of the alleged unlawful killing.
“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) and Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law,” the petition from the family to the Police IG stated.Travel guides for Nigeria
The petition, signed by Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), on behalf of the family, called on the IGP to uphold the rule of law, prevent further abuse by rogue police elements, and restore public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
Titled ‘Petition on the Enforced Disappearance and Alleged Extrajudicial Killing of Mr. Onuocha Johnbosco by Tiger Base Operatives in Imo State,’ it called on the IGP to “take immediate action to investigate this incident and bring those responsible to justice.”Travel guides for Nigeria
“The family deserves justice, and the police must be held accountable for their actions,” Nwanguma said.
The petition, which was also copied to the National Human Rights Commission, called for institutional disciplinary action against Commander Ola and any other officers involved in concealing the unlawful act, misleading the public, and obstructing justice.
