There was tension in Owerri, Imo State, as the whereabouts of Dr. Fabian Ihekweme, a former commissioner and critic of Governor Hope Uzodimma, remained unclear after spending 61 days in detention at Tiger Base, a police facility notorious for politically motivated arrests and human rights abuses.
A mysterious handwritten letter, dated January 27, 2025, surfaced on social media, in which Ihekweme allegedly recanted his criticisms of Uzodimma, calling them fabricated lies and apologizing unreservedly. The letter, widely shared by pro-Uzodimma media outlets, also praised the police for their professionalism—despite his prolonged detention without trial.
Efforts to verify the authenticity of the letter proved difficult, as Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, refused to comment. Ihekweme’s phone remains unreachable, and civil society organizations could not confirm whether he had been released.
Ihekweme, a former governorship candidate, had supported Uzodimma’s 2019 election bid and served as a commissioner before falling out with the governor after the 2023 elections. He became an outspoken critic, demanding transparency, accountability, and an end to oppressive governance in Imo State.
According to human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, Ihekweme was abducted from his Abuja home on November 27, 2024, in front of his family and secretly transferred to Owerri. Adeyanju condemned the incident as part of a wider crackdown on dissent.
His detention has sparked public outrage, with 13 civil society organizations (CSOs) urging the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take action against the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) and the State Investigation Department (SID). The CSOs accused Uzodimma’s administration of using police units for intimidation, prolonged detention, and silencing opposition voices.
They called on the Police Service Commission to investigate and ensure accountability within the force, warning that such tactics threaten democracy and freedom of speech in Nigeria.
Source: ThisDay News