Vigilantes who cruelly assaulted and publicly stripped female corps member arrested

• NYSC says its ‘unacceptable and dehumanising’

• The viral video of the female Corper in Anambra state is a stark call for accountability — Ezeilo, SAN

The government of Anambra State has confirmed the arrest and detention of members of its security outfit, Operation Udo Ga-Achi, also known as the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, following the brutal assault and public stripping of a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elobor, in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.

Law & Society had earlier reported the disturbing news where fully armed vigilantes stormed the corps members’ lodge in Oba and brutally assaulted the young lady.

In the footage, the operatives accused Elobor and her colleagues of being internet fraudsters, despite the victims presenting valid NYSC identification cards and uniforms.

The video captured the vigilantes violently beating Elobor, tearing her clothes, and stripping her naked as she cried for help, while her colleagues and other eyewitnesses pleaded for the assault to stop.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the brutality and demanding justice.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Tuesday, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, described the assault as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” confirming that those responsible had been arrested and were being investigated.

“The operatives were on the trail of some suspected cultists riding on motorcycles when they pursued them into a compound,” Emeakayi explained.

“In the process of searching the houses in line with their mandate, the unfortunate incident involving the corps member occurred. While they were acting within the law, their conduct in that instance was unacceptable.”

Emeakayi explained that the incident took place during Operation Udo Ga-Achi, a joint security operation involving the police, army, Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the state’s vigilante outfit, Agunechemba, established under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.

He added that the government acted swiftly to address the assault.

“Immediately the incident happened, we arrested the operatives involved and placed them in detention,” he said.

“Our practice is to first carry out preliminary investigations, bring in the victims and complainants, and then determine whether the matter warrants internal disciplinary action or prosecution.”

He said that the victim, Elobor, was invited to his office alongside NYSC officials, where he personally listened to their account of the ordeal.

“Our conclusion is that while the operatives were on a legitimate assignment, the manner in which they acted was not acceptable. We have made that very clear, and disciplinary measures are being taken,” Emeakayi stated.

He further clarified the difference between Operation Udo Ga-Chi and Agbunechemba, noting that the former is a joint security operation while the latter is the state’s statutory security outfit created by law.

Emeakayi assured residents that Governor Soludo’s administration “will not condone any abuse of power by security agents, particularly against innocent citizens.”

Condemning the assault via her X formerly Twitter) handle, Life Bencher and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, SAN, also questioned who filmed and who spread the video.

“Why do some men—especially those tasked with protecting us—choose to target women and violate their dignity? The viral video of the female Corper in Anambra state is a stark call for accountability: those responsible must be held to account. Who filmed this outrage, and who spread it?

“The answer, disturbingly, points to security personnel themselves. This demands urgent action. Every woman deserves respect for her dignity, her privacy, and her bodily autonomy. Let us stand up for women’s sanctuary—because justice means protecting everyone’s humanity.

“We demand safe cities for women. The current state of impunity must come to an end”, she said.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) equally condemned the assault.

In a statement issued in the early hours of Wednesday by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the scheme described the attack as “unacceptable and dehumanising,” stressing that no justification could warrant such treatment of a Corps Member.

“Management wishes to assure the general public that it believes in, and supports the ongoing investigation by the Nigeria Police Force towards unravelling what transpired. This we trust will help get justice for the Corps Member in question and any other aggrieved party,” the statement read.

The scheme further disclosed that administrative steps were being taken to provide both physiological and psychological support to the affected Corps Member, while restating its commitment to the welfare and security of all Corps Members nationwide.

Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the viral video of the incident. A former Corps Member who served in Onitsha North LGA between 2021 and 2022 narrated his own experiences with vigilante operatives in the state, describing them as “naturally bittered and easily triggered.”

Sharing his ordeal, the ex-Corper, identified simply as Unity from Delta State, said he often encountered hostility from the group during his service year.

“There was nowhere I went without my Corper cap and ID, but you see those vigilante, nothing concern them if you be Corper or not. They still almost used am for me on several occasions, but my stubbornness nor allow them, and most times I outsmarted them,” he recounted.

He added that the operatives later became familiar with his face and would often exchange tense glances whenever they crossed paths.

While expressing solidarity with the assaulted Corps Member, he said: “I pray and hope our Delta sister gets justice. I stand with her. Justice for Elohor.”