The Anambra State Government has condemned vigilante members seen in a viral video assaulting a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elobor, in the state.
The government has now confirmed the arrest and detention of the vigilante members.
This is coming after a viral video showed the operatives, armed with rifles, storming a lodge occupied by corps members and assaulting some of the ladies.
Despite the victims presenting their uniforms and identification cards, the operatives accused them of being internet fraudsters.
The vigilantes str!pped one of the ladies, sparking condemnation across social media platforms and demands for justice.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, described the incident as “unfortunate and unacceptable.”
He explained that the operatives involved were attached to Agbunechemba, a state security outfit established under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
According to him, the attack happened during a joint security operation, Operation Udo Gatchi, when the officers chased suspected cultists into a residential compound.
“While the operatives were on the trail of some suspected cultists riding motorcycles, they entered the compound and, in the process of conducting searches, the unfortunate incident involving the corps member occurred,” Emeakayi said.
He stressed that although the operatives were carrying out their duties, their conduct in this instance violated the law.
“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 explained.
Emeakayi disclosed that he personally met with Elobor and NYSC officials to hear their account of the incident. He assured that disciplinary measures are already being taken against the officers involved.
He also clarified that Operation Udo Gatchi is a joint task force involving the police, army, Department of State Services, civil defence, and state security personnel, while Agbunechemba operates as a statutory state security outfit.
Reassuring the public, he said Governor Soludo’s administration will not tolerate abuse of power by security agents, especially against innocent citizens.
