Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has ordered the immediate dismissal of eight operatives of the Agunechemba Security outfit following their assault on a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elobor.
The incident, which sparked outrage after a video went viral on Monday, showed armed operatives of the Operation Udo Ga-Achi (Agunechemba Vigilante Group) brutalizing the corps member in what they later claimed was a pursuit of suspected cultists.
Addressing journalists in Awka on Wednesday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, said the state government had settled the victim’s medical expenses, replaced her damaged valuables, and issued a formal apology to her family and the NYSC.
“The Soludo administration will not tolerate any form of unprofessionalism, brutality, or abuse of office by security operatives. Any officer found guilty of misconduct will face immediate dismissal and prosecution,” Emeakayi said. He added that the dismissed operatives would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
The action, according to him, underscores the government’s resolve to reform community security operations in the state and set a clear precedent against abuse of power.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemned the assault, describing it as “inhumane” and a gross violation of Elobor’s dignity and fundamental human rights.
In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), and National Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA demanded the prosecution of all those involved, calling the act “barbaric” and unacceptable in a democratic society.
