Owerri — December 5, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
The family of Levi Opara, a 46-year-old businessman from Emekuku in Owerri North LGA, is calling for urgent justice after he reportedly died under suspicious circumstances while in the custody of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police widely known as “Tiger Base.
According to the family, Opara was arrested following what they described as a “domestic misunderstanding” between him and his wife. Less than a week into his detention, the family was informed he had died after being taken to the police clinic.
But family members strongly reject the official account. They claim Opara was tortured and stabbed in the neck by officers identified only as “Moses” and “Blessing,” despite repeated pleas for his release.
A joint autopsy — conducted by both a police-assigned doctor and the family’s independent medical expert — reportedly confirmed the neck wound, contradicting the police’s claim that Opara died of illness. His remains were allegedly embalmed at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, without the family’s prior consent a development they say points to a cover-up.
Relatives say Opara had no history of criminality; he was held over a private domestic matter, yet ended up in a unit meant for hardened kidnappers and violent criminals the same unit repeatedly accused of torture, extrajudicial killings and abuse of detainees.
Activists and human-rights groups are renewing calls for an independent probe, the immediate closure of Tiger Base, and prosecution of all officers implicated in custody-related killings.
As of now, the Imo State Police Command has not issued an official response to the new allegations. The family and public watchers warn that silence or reversion to the usual “we are investigating” stance will only deepen distrust in security institutions and the rule of law.