A human rights group under the aegis of the Rule Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre has petitioned the Police Service and the National Human Rights Commission over the alleged killing of a detainee, Mr. Johnbosco Onuocha at the Tiger Base Police unit in Owerri, Imo State and the arrest and demolition of a house belonging to the Chikadibia family of Alaukwu community in the Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State by operatives of the force.
The group in a statement obtained by South East on Monday expressed disappointment that the force was fast losing its legitimacy in the eyes of the people.
According to the statement this is so not because of a lack of resources, but because of a growing and disturbing pattern of silence, complicity, and institutional tolerance for criminality within its ranks.
The statement was titled, “Silence is complicity: Nigeria Police, PSC, and NHRC must Stop Enabling impunity”
“It is shocking—though not new—that the Nigeria Police Force has remained mute and inactive in the face of documented petitions alleging enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, unlawful detention, torture, and even property demolition without court orders.
“But perhaps even more disturbing is the deafening silence and inaction of the two key oversight and national human rights bodies that are constitutionally mandated to check this kind of abuse: the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission
“Their silence is not just bureaucratic indifference. It is complicity. And it is unacceptable.
“Two recent cases glaringly illustrate this systemic failure of accountability. The Johnbosco Onuocha case: a life silenced, justice denied.
“On June 17, 2025, RULAAC submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police concerning the enforced disappearance and alleged extrajudicial killing of Mr. OnuochaJohnbosco by operatives of the notorious Tiger Base in Imo State.
“” The petition was acknowledged on June 19, yet as of today—nearly a month later—there has been no response, no action, no accountability.
“Mr. Johnbosco was violently abducted, held incommunicado, denied legal access, and eventually—according to Tiger Base officials—died in custody. Yet the Police Force has refused to make public any investigation, release his remains, or offer explanations.
“Even more troubling is that both the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, which received copies of the same petition and follow-up letters, have failed to respond or initiate any form of independent investigation.
“This is not just a violation of domestic and international human rights norms—it is a betrayal of the very mandates these institutions exist to uphold.” The statement reads in part
It added, “The Chikadibia family: from victims to targets.
“In another egregious case, RULAAC received credible information on July 9, 2025, that heavily armed police operatives in multiple Hilux trucks invaded and began demolishing the Chikadibia family compound in Alaukwu village, OsisiomaNgwa LGA, Abia State.
“The family had already suffered the illegal arrest, secret detention, and arraignment of Mr. Chikadibia and his three daughters in April—events that drew widespread public condemnation. Now, it appears they are being punished for speaking out.
“This demolition was carried out without a court order—a clear act of vengeance and intimidation. Yet again, neither the PSC nor the NHRC has publicly condemned the act, launched an investigation, or offered protection to the affected family.
“Their inaction raises critical questions: Whose side are these institutions on? When victims cry for help and oversight bodies look away, what hope is left for justice?”
