Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to immediately investigate the threats, ensure the protection of both men, and hold those responsible accountable.
Global human rights body, the Amnesty International, has expressed concerns over a dangerous pattern of threats and intimidation against human rights defenders and journalists in Nigeria, warning that the lives and liberty of two outspoken activists in Imo State are now at serious risk.
In a statement, Amnesty said it is deeply concerned about the security of Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), who has reportedly been receiving threats linked to his role in exposing alleged atrocities at the notorious Tiger Base police detention facility in Owerri, Imo State.
Also facing similar threats is Nonso Nkwa, an Owerri-based independent radio broadcaster and activist, who Amnesty said has been targeted for his investigative work and public commentary exposing what it described as “shocking human rights violations” at the same police facility.
According to Amnesty International, the threats against Nwanguma and Nkwa appear to be directly connected to their efforts to shine a light on alleged abuses, including unlawful detention and other serious violations, at the Tiger Base, a police unit long accused by rights groups of operating with impunity.
“The safety and security of Okechukwu Nwanguma and Nonso Nkwa is now at risk,” Amnesty said. “They are brave human rights defenders fighting for justice and accountability. Threatening them for exposing injustice is unacceptable.”
The organisation warned that the reported intimidation fits into a broader and deeply troubling pattern across the country, where human rights defenders, whistleblowers, and journalists are increasingly threatened, harassed, or even detained for speaking out against abuses, systemic corruption, or for publishing dissenting views.
Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to immediately investigate the threats, ensure the protection of both men, and hold those responsible accountable.
“This dangerous pattern of harassment and
intimidation must be investigated. Human rights defenders, whistleblowers, and journalists continue to be threatened, harassed, and in some cases detained for speaking up against human rights violations, systemic corruption, or publishing dissenting views..
Tiger Base, operated by the Nigeria Police Force in Owerri, has repeatedly come under scrutiny from civil society groups and rights organisations, but campaigners say meaningful accountability has remained elusive.