Imo Police Disband Controversial Tiger Base, Launch Violent Crime Response Unit

The Imo State Police Command has scrapped its Tiger Base, Lion Squad, and other animal-coded tactical units. In their place, Commissioner Audu Bosso unveiled the Violent Crime Response Unit — a restructured approach to tackling violent crime in the state.

End of an era

Tiger Base was set up to fight kidnapping, but it became better known for abuse allegations and extrajudicial activities. Amnesty International had documented systemic human rights violations by the unit, and civil society groups had been calling for it to go for years.

Bosso said the changes follow directives from IGP Tunji Disu, who recently scrapped SWAT units nationwide. The new VCRU will handle armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, cultism, and illegal firearms — using intelligence-led policing rather than brute force.

Oversight board

Bosso also inaugurated a civilian oversight board for the VCRU, including representatives from religious groups, traditional rulers, civil society, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists. The board will receive public feedback, channel it to the commissioner, and provide accountability checks on police operations.

Personnel for the new unit were selected based on competence and discipline, with training in both tactical operations and human rights compliance. Whether this actually changes things on the ground, Imo residents will be watching.

Sources: thecable.ng, thisdaylive.com, thenationonlineng.net