Anambra Govt  Suspends Attackers Of Female Corps Member As NYSC Flays Assault

By Ayodele Oni

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Anambra State Government have condemned the assault of a  Youth Corps  member, Edema Elohor Jennifer, in Oba, Anambra State.

The government has announced that those connected with the incident have been arrested and currently facing disciplinary action.

Some armed men, believed to be operatives of Operation Udo Ga-Achi, also known as the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, had been captured in a viral video attacking corps members at their lodge in Anambra State.

The video, shared by the “Haven 360 Foundation on Facebook,” shows a female corps member, “Jennifer Edema Elohor,” being beaten and stripped by the men.

In a statement released Tuesday, the NYSC Management called the attack “unacceptable” and emphasized its dedication to the safety of corps members.

According to the statement, “Management wishes to restate its strong commitment to the welfare and security of Corps Members nationwide and would not condone any individual or group undermining their safety for whatsoever reason.”

Preliminary findings indicate that operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Group broke into a Corpers’ Lodge, claiming it was being used for illegal activities.

During a search, they “physically assaulted Corps Member Jennifer, who was only on a visit to the lodge.”

The NYSC has formally reported the incident to the police, and an investigation is underway to ensure the culprits are punished.

“The matter has since been formally reported to the police, and investigations are currently ongoing to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

“Members of the public are enjoined to provide adequate security for Corps Members in their places of primary assignment and host communities.”

The Management reiterated that it will not tolerate any form of “intimidation, harassment or abuse against corps members.”

Reacting on behalf of of Anambra state government, the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, also condemned the assault of the corps member by security operatives in the State, and confirmed that those involved have been arrested and are facing disciplinary action.

Speaking on Channels Television, Emeakayi described the operatives’ actions as “unacceptable and wrong.”

He stated: “It was not part of their duty to beat up anybody or to strip anybody, which was why we arrested them.”

He confirmed that the operatives were arrested immediately after the incident.

Emeakayi explained the disciplinary process, saying, “According to our practices, when an incident involves our operatives, we arrest them, carry out our preliminary investigations, then get the complainants, or the victims involved and our operatives, to determine the level of what action to take and whether it is something we can handle by internal disciplinary measures or something we would have to prosecute.”

He added that the operatives have been suspended, noting that “when a case has been established against someone, you arrest the person, then hand him over to the police.”

Their final evaluation is in process, pending a decision on whether the matter will go to court. He concluded that the actions of his men were “unacceptable.”