Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed eight operatives of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group after they were caught assaulting a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elobor.
The operatives, seen in a viral video brutalising the corps member, allegedly threatened to rape and kill her during the assault. Her lawyer, Cyrus Onu, confirmed that the masked operatives, armed and in mufti, accused the corps members of being internet fraudsters and attacked Elobor when she demanded proper identification.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, said the state government had settled Elobor’s medical bills, replaced her damaged belongings, and issued a public apology. He stressed that the dismissed operatives would be handed over to the police for prosecution, warning that the administration would not condone “unprofessionalism, brutality, or abuse of office.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded immediate prosecution of the culprits, describing the incident as a “barbaric violation of human rights.” In a statement signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, and Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara, the body insisted justice must be both done and seen to be done, calling for reforms in community security operations.
Elobor’s lawyer further alleged that the operatives fired gunshots to intimidate the corps members and insisted his client would seek compensatory damages alongside criminal prosecution.
Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) also condemned the attack, calling it “inhuman and disgraceful to national service.” He urged both the Anambra State Government and the NYSC to take stronger measures to ensure corps members’ safety.
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