NYSC Member Elohor Edema Recounts Traumatic Assault By Anambra Vigilantes.
Jennifer Elohor Edema, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, has shared a harrowing account of her assault by operatives of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, also known as Operation Udo Ga-Achi, in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The incident, which occurred on 23 July 2025 and gained widespread attention after a video surfaced on 19 August, has sparked public outrage and calls for justice.
In an interview with internet personality Aprokoking, Elohor described how she and eight other corps members were at their lodge around 5 pm when they heard an aggressive knock on the door. A masked man, armed with a gun and lacking any uniform or identification, kicked the door open and ordered them outside. Despite presenting their NYSC identification cards and portal details to prove their status, the vigilantes accused them of internet fraud, ransacked their rooms, and seized their phones and laptops.
Elohor recounted the escalation of violence when she questioned the operatives’ authority. “They asked me why I was challenging them as a woman,” she said. The vigilantes allegedly beat her, tore her clothes, and called her a prostitute, threatening to shoot her and “toss her corpse in the bush.” One colleague, pleading on her behalf, was struck with an iron rod. The group was forcibly taken to the vigilantes’ secretariat in Oba, despite requests to contact their NYSC Local Government Inspector.
The NYSC condemned the assault as “ridiculous,” noting that Elohor was visiting the lodge at the time. The Anambra State Government has confirmed the arrest of the operatives involved, with disciplinary actions underway. Ken Emeakayi, Special Adviser on Community Security to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, described the incident as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” clarifying that the vigilantes were pursuing suspected cultists but exceeded their lawful duties. The police, led by spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, are investigating, though progress has been slowed by the victim’s unavailability.
Public reaction has been intense, with social media posts on X demanding accountability and highlighting the need for better oversight of vigilante groups. Elohor has called for justice, urging that the perpetrators face severe punishment. The NYSC reiterated its commitment to corps members’ safety, urging host communities to protect them and calling for swift resolution of the case.
The incident has raised broader concerns about the conduct of vigilante groups in Nigeria, with many advocating for stricter regulations to prevent such abuses. As investigations continue, Elohor’s ordeal has become a rallying point for ensuring the safety and dignity of corps members serving across the country.
