‘She was on visit to the lodge’ — NYSC speaks on assaulted Anambra corps member

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says the corps member assaulted by a vigilante group in Anambra was on a visit to the raided lodge.

On August 19, a video of security operatives invading a corps members’ lodge and accusing them of being internet fraudsters surfaced on social media.

One of the operatives was seen hitting a corps member, identified as Jennifer Elobor, while others stood by.

Her clothes were torn in the process, revealing her unclad body as she cried out for help.

The incident has drawn outrage on social media, with many Nigerians demanding justice for the victim.

In a statement condemning the act, NYSC described the assault as “ridiculous.”

NYSC revealed that the incident happened in Oba, Idemili South LGA of Anambra.

The statement revealed that the assault began after the state operatives asked the occupants of the corps lodge to submit themselves for search.

NYSC stated that it is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of serving corp members, urging the public to join in the efforts.

“Our findings revealed that a group of operatives of the Anambra state vigilante group forcefully entered a corps lodge in Oba, alleging that the place was being used for illegal activities which has not been substantiated,” the statement read in part.

“The operatives demanded that every occupant of the Lodge should submit themselves for a search, while Corps Member Edema Elohor Jennifer, AN/24C/0626 who was on a visit to the lodge was assaulted.

“As an aftermath, the matter has been reported to the police while investigations and other necessary actions are ongoing.

“Management wishes to restate it’s strong commitment to the welfare and security of its Corps Members nationwide, and would not condone any individual or group of persons that undermines the security of her Corps Members for whatsoever reasons.

“Additionally, Members of the public are enjoined to provide adequate security for our Corps Members in all their respective places of Primary Assignment and host communities.”

Earlier, Ken Emeakayi, special adviser on community security to Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, described the incident as “unfortunate and unacceptable”.

Emeakayi clarified that operatives involved in the assault were members of Agunechemba, the state security outfit, noting that they were chasing suspected cultists who ran into a residential compound.

Tochukwu Ikenga, police spokesperson in the state, also confirmed their arrest to TheCable on Tuesday.

Ikenga, who condemned the assault, noted that the unavailability of the victim has temporarily stalled the investigation.

He assured corps members serving in Anambra of the command’s commitment to their safety and urged them to promptly report cases of harassment or abuse.