‘Justice Must Be Seen’: Outrage Grows Over Assault of NYSC Member in Anambra
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has condemned the assault of a corps member, Jennifer Elobor, by local vigilante operatives in Anambra State.
In a statement on Wednesday, the NYSC described the incident as “unfortunate” and “unjustifiable.”
“Management strongly condemns the unacceptable and dehumanising manner in which the operatives conducted their operations, irrespective of their stated justification for the so-called investigation at the corps members’ lodge,” the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, said.
A video of the incident, which surfaced online days ago, showed members of Operation Udo Ga-Achi—popularly known as the Agunechemba Vigilante Group—beating and stripping the corps member in Oba Community, Idemili South Local Government Area. The operatives accused Elobor and her colleagues of being fraudsters.
On Tuesday, the Anambra State Government announced the arrest of the vigilantes and confirmed that investigations were ongoing. The incident has continued to generate widespread outrage.
The NYSC welcomed the government’s intervention, pledging full support for the police investigation “to help secure justice for the corps member and any other aggrieved party.”
It also disclosed that administrative measures were being taken to provide Elobor with psychological and emotional support following the traumatic experience.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemned the assault as “inhumane” and called for the immediate prosecution of those responsible. In a joint statement, NBA President Afam Osigwe and National Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara stressed:
“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, both as redress for Elobor and as a deterrent against future abuses.”
