The Anambra State Government has condemned the assault on a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ms. Jennifer Elobor, by operatives of the state’s security outfit, confirming that those involved have been arrested and detained.
The incident, which sparked outrage after a video went viral on social media, showed armed operatives storming a corps members’ lodge and accusing the occupants of internet fraud despite their display of NYSC identification cards and uniforms. The footage further revealed the officers beating Ms. Elobor, tearing her clothes, and leaving her partly unclothed.
Reacting to the development, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, described the attack as “unfortunate and unacceptable” during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday. He confirmed that the operatives had been taken into custody and placed under investigation.
According to Emeakayi, the incident occurred during a joint security operation known as Operation Udo Gatchi. He explained that the operatives were pursuing suspected cultists on motorcycles when they entered a residential compound and began conducting searches.
“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.
He added that the state government responded immediately once the assault was reported.