Anambra govt: We’ve arrested vigilantes assaulting NYSC member

The Anambra State Government has announced the arrest of some members of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group seen assaulting a National Youth Service Corps member (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elobor, in the state.

A viral video had shown Elobor being assaulted alongside some of her colleagues at a corps members’ lodge in Anambra State.

The corps member, despite several pleas, was beaten and stripped naked by men wielding guns.

Speaking on Channels Television’s programme, The Morning Brief, on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, disclosed that the operatives involved in the assault have been arrested and detained.

Emeakayi, who described the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable, said the assault 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.

The governor’s aide explained that the operation was part of Operation Udo Gatchi, a code name for joint task force operations involving the police, the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), civil defence, and the state’s security outfit.

Emeakayi 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.

VIDEO: Vigilantes beat, strip female NYSC member in Anambra

“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 added that the assaulted corps member was invited to his office alongside NYSC officials, saying he listened to their account of the incident.

Emeakayi said: “We concluded 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.”

The governor’s aide also assured residents of Anambra State that the Soludo administration will not condone any abuse of power by security agents, particularly against innocent citizens.

The Star