By Rafiyat Sadiq
The Anambra State Government has dismissed eight members of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group following the assault on a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elobor, serving in the state.
The dismissal came after a viral video showed armed operatives of the vigilante outfit, also known as Operation Udo Ga-Achi, brutalising Elobor.
Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, confirmed the action yesterday in Awka. He said the state had settled Elobor’s medical bills, replaced her damaged valuables, and tendered a public apology to her family and the NYSC.
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According to him, the dismissed operatives, who claimed they were chasing suspected cultists, acted outside their mandate and would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
“The Soludo administration will not tolerate unprofessionalism, brutality or abuse of office by security operatives. Any officer found guilty of misconduct will face immediate dismissal and prosecution,” Emeakayi said, adding that the case would serve as a turning point in reforming community security operations in the state.
Efforts to confirm from the state police whether the suspects had been taken into custody were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, did not respond to calls or messages.
NBA Demands Prosecution
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemned the assault, describing it as “inhumane” and a violation of Elobor’s dignity and rights.
In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and National Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA commended the state government’s swift action but insisted the culprits must be prosecuted.
“Accountability must not stop at arrest. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, to serve as redress for Ms. Elobor and deterrence against future abuses,” the association said.
It further called for continuous training and reorientation of security operatives to ensure respect for human rights and professionalism.
“They Threatened to Rape and Kill Her” — Lawyer
Elobor’s lawyer, Cyrus Onu, alleged that the operatives threatened to rape and kill the corps member for resisting their actions.
He narrated that the operatives, masked and armed, stormed the lodge of the corps members, accusing them of being internet fraudsters.
“When they tried to drag them downstairs, Elobor insisted they must first call their Local Government Inspector. That was when they descended on her. They told her, ‘That thing you’re trying to cover, we’ll see it today. We’ll beat you, rape you, kill you and dump you and nobody can say anything,’” Onu said.
He also accused the state government of downplaying the case and vowed to pursue compensatory damages in addition to prosecution of the culprits.
Dafinone Condemns Attack
Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central, also condemned the assault, describing it as “barbaric, inhuman, and a disgrace to national service.”
He demanded the immediate prosecution of the perpetrators and compensation for Elobor.
“No Nigerian citizen, much less a young lady serving her fatherland, should be subjected to such dehumanising treatment,” Dafinone said.
He further urged NYSC authorities to take stronger measures to guarantee the safety of corps members, stressing that parents must be assured their children are not exposed to abuse while in service.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
