Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has denounced the attack on Jennifer Elobor, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), by state security officials.
After witnessing the operatives hitting a female NYSC member in spite of her cries for assistance, the Anambra State administration strongly denounced their actions and ordered their arrest.
Despite presenting their identification papers and uniforms, the armed operatives invaded the corps members’ lodge and accused them of being online scammers.
The footage of the event went viral on Tuesday, August 19.
On social media, however, this offensive behavior has caused indignation, with many Nigerians denouncing the vigilante group’s actions and calling for the victim to receive justice.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Ken Emeakayi, Chukwuma Soludo’s Special Adviser on Community Security, called the event regrettable and intolerable. He affirmed that the assault’s perpetrators had been taken into custody and are presently being investigated.
He explained, “The incident occurred during a joint security operation when operatives of Agbunechemba, the state security outfit established under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, pursued suspected cultists into a residential compound,”
Emeakayi went on to say that the operation was a component of Operation Udo G’achi, which is a code name for joint task force activities that include the state’s security outfit, the army, the police, the Department of State Services, and civil defense.
He said, “The operatives were on the trail of some suspected cultists riding on motorcycles when they pursued them into a compound. 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. “Immediately the incident happened, we arrested the operatives involved and placed them in detention.
“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 continued.
The assaulted corps member was also invited to his office with NYSC officials, the special adviser disclosed, and he heard their version of events.
“We conclude that while the operatives were on a legitimate assignment, how they acted was not acceptable. “We have made that very clear, and disciplinary measures are being taken,” he said.
He gave the people of Anambra his word that any misuse of authority by security personnel, especially against defenseless civilians, would not be tolerated by Soludo’s administration.
