– Presents Communiqué to Imo CP, Audu Bosso
By Martin Opara
The Association for Public Policy Analysis, in line with its commitment to the improved welfare of Nigerians, on Tuesday March 10, 2026, organized a Security Enhancement Summit at Rockview Hotel, Owerri the Imo State capital.
The Summit, which was declared open by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command CP, Audu Garba Bosso who is said to have in a very short time shown that he came to sanitize the system and ensure that there is no hiding place for criminals in the state was attended by over one hundred persons including the Imo CP himself, the the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, accompanied by their subordinates, the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Imo State Chapter, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Imo State chapter, a delegation from the National Council of Women Societies, National Orientation Agency, the Imo State Orientation Agency, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice who represented the Governor of Imo State among others including Youth and Civil Society groups, who made presentations that were compiled and packaged in the communiqué issued at the end of the summit.
Presenting the communiqué to the Imo State Commissioner of Police CP Audu Garba Bosso in his office, recently, the National President of APPA, who was accompanied by the association’s Director, Media/Publicity in Imo state, Martin Opara and a representative of the National Council for Women Societies called for an overhaul of the Anti kidnapping unit of the Imo State Police Command, otherwise called the Tiger Base Unit. Chief Okorie, also urged the Imo Police boss to ensure strict adherence to professional ethics, due process and respect for rule of law.
Responding, the Commissioner of police, who is said to have distinguished himself as a focused and thorough bred professional with a transformation agenda, stated that the security of lives and property should not be left for security agencies alone. Hence, all hands must be on deck for the good of all.
He commended the State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma for his exceptional support and encouragement, which according to him, has made the job of the police in the state easier. He used the opportunity to highlight some of the achievements he has recorded since he assumed office in the state recently.
The CP also urged media practitioners to stop demonizing the police and other security agencies, adding that as humans, they are bound to err like ever other person.
The police boss promised to study the communiqué and do the needful. He called for synergy between the police and the society. He also stressed the need for thorough investigation of reports by journalists before publication.
The communiqué issued at the end of the security enhancement summit reads, “The Imo Citizens Security Enhancement Summit 2026, was organized by Association for Public Policy Analysis in recognition of the association’s founding vision “to contribute to the peace and security of the people of Nigeria”.
The main objective of the summit was to enhance knowledge based synergy and partnership between the people of Imo State and the security agencies, while the expected outcome was to get the perspective of stakeholders on the narratives presented to the Nigerian public by Amnesty International and Coalition Against Tiger Base Police Impurity on the perceived unconstitutional practices of Tiger Base Unit of Anti-Kidnapping Department of Imo State Police Command with a view to building a better relationship between security agencies in Imo State and citizens for attainment of peaceful environment for political activities in the forthcoming 2027 general elections in the State. .
PRESENTATIONS: Presentations were made by Chief Princewill Okorie, National President of Association for Public Policy Analysis, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission, Barr. Paul Obinatu, Hon Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State, Audu Garba Bosso, Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, Mrs. Stella Maris Oparugo, Director National Orientation Agency, Imo State, Lady Ijeoma Udensi, National P.R.O, National Council for Women Societies and Comrade Uche Chigemezu Nwaigwe, Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, Imo State Council.
OBSERVATIONS: Participants observed as follows:
1. That the contents of publications on Tiger Base Unit under Anti- Kidnapping Department of Imo State Police Command by Coalition Against Tiger Base Police Impunity (CATPI) and Amnesty International reveals that the nature of operations of Tiger Base violates international and Nigerian constitutional provisions for protection of fundamental human rights in their security conduct in the state thereby presents negative narrative on Imo State Police Command when viewed in the context of United Nations Human Rights Declaration on economic, social and cultural rights.
2. That the conduct of Tiger Base in her security activities is perceived as negatively affecting the image of Government and the Nigeria Police Force in Imo State as victims of imbibe attitude of hatred for the Nigeria Police Force and absurd history of the state and its security institutions and elites thereby erode public trust.
3. Participants commended Association for Public Policy Analysis for taking the bold and visionary step to organize the Summit and expressed hope that it would strengthen collaboration and partnership between the police, other security agencies and communities thereby deepen mutual trust, and chart a sustainable part towards a safer and more secure society.
4. That law enforcement agencies should recognize the supremacy of the Constitution. Hence, security operatives must operate within Constitutional boundaries to provide a people-centered approach known as human security which protects citizens from fear, want and indignity and reflect National Security strategy which recognizes that economic stability, food security, health and social inclusion are integral to national stability.
5. That absence of Coalition of civil society organisations with capacity for advocacy on the need to respect directive principles of state policy, fundamental human rights, rights and obligations of state institutions and citizens created a safe net for Police officers in Tiger Base to conduct their affairs unprofessionally without sanction or punishment.
6. The negative public perception on the conduct of Tiger Base Police officials has raised the need for training and sensitization for junior Police officers operating at the communities/field to understand basic principles of investigation, directive principles of state policy, fundamental human rights, obligations and duties of state institutions and citizens.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Participants recommended as follows:
1. As a way of restoring public trust and confidence of citizens on the operations of security agencies in line with constitutional provisions, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Imo State should as a matter of urgency, set up a committee to review the publications of CATPI and Amnesty International, investigate the allegations or issues therein and ensure that appropriate punishment or sanctions are meted out to the Police officers under Tiger Base unit that carried out the unconstitutional, unprofessional acts of human rights violations.
2. The Commissioner of Police, Imo State should initiate Police Human Rights Reform Committee to review reports of CATPI and Amnesty International with a view to ensuring that police officers found guilty are punished in accordance with the law to serve as deterrent to other police officers in Imo State Police Command.
3. The Commissioner of Police, Imo State should as part of effort to sanitize Tiger Base Unit of Anti-Kidnapping Department, by re-deploying all police officers that have served in Tiger Base during the period under review to other units.
4. Civil society organisations in Imo State should form coalition for respect of Fundamental Human Rights of citizens to constructively engage the Police, National Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Justice etc to ensure that criminal arrests, investigations and prosecution are done in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
5. His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodinma in continuation of his effort in curbing insecurity by setting up vigilante should approve capacity building and enlightenment for the state vigilante on fundamental human rights, duties and obligations of citizens as provided in the Constitution.
6. The Commissioner of Police to approve and conduct capacity building workshop for police officers under the Imo State Police Command on understanding fundamental human rights, duties and obligations of state institutions and citizens.
7. Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and National Council for Women Societies to organize community based Town Hall Meetings on fundamental Human Rights, constitutional duties and obligations of state institutions and citizens. 8. National Human Rights Commission, Imo State should encourage the establishment of coalition for respect of fundamental human rights of citizens and involve the coalition in her National Preventive Programme in Imo State to make it more inclusive.
9. Imo State Coalition for Respect of Fundamental Human Rights to work with National Human Rights Commission in Imo State to execute Imo Security Compact which will be anchored on legality, human dignity, accountability, professionalism, and community partnership”.
