- Safiu Kehinde
The Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, has confirmed the arrest and detention of operatives of the state’s local vigilante group caught in a viral video brutalising a National Youth Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elohor.
NPO earlier Reported that some armed members of the group popularly known as Agunechemba had physically assaulted and stripped Elohor naked in the viral video shared on social media on Monday.
The incident occurred in Oba area of the state on the 23rd of July.
According to reports, the security operatives had stormed a corpers’ lodge, accusing the corps members of being ‘yahoo people’.
Despite producing their NYSC identity cards, the armed men assaulted the corp members with Jennifer being in the centre of the assault.
Reacting to the development in an interview on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Tuesday, Emeakayi, described the assault as “unfortunate and unacceptable” as he confirmed the arrest of the erring officers.
As against initial report, the Anambra Governor’s spokesperson explained that the operatives had pursued some suspected cultists into the compound where the incident occurred.
He disclosed that the incident took place during Operation Udo Ga-Achi, a joint security operation involving the police, army, Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the state’s vigilante outfit, Agunechemba, established under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
Emeakayi maintained that the operatives were acting within the law but admitted that their conduct was unacceptable.
“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.” He said.
The aide added that the government acted swiftly to address the assault.
“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 said.
Emeakayi further disclosed that the victim, Elobor, was invited to his office alongside NYSC officials, where he personally listened to their account of the ordeal.
“Our conclusion is that while the operatives were on a legitimate assignment, the manner in which they acted was not acceptable. We have made that very clear, and disciplinary measures are being taken,” He stated while assuring residents that Governor Soludo’s administration will not condone any abuse of power by security agents, particularly against innocent citizens.