A disturbing video has surfaced online showing armed men, believed to be operatives of Operation Udo Ga-Achi, also known as the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, assaulting National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Anambra State.
The footage, which has since gone viral after being shared by the Haven 360 Foundation on Facebook on Monday, captured the harrowing moment a female corps member identified as Jennifer Edema Elohor was beaten, stripped naked, and humiliated by the vigilante operatives. The attackers, armed with rifles, also physically assaulted some of her colleagues during the raid on their lodge.
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According to the Haven 360 Foundation, the vigilante group accused the corps members of engaging in internet fraud, popularly known as “yahoo yahoo.” Despite the victims presenting their NYSC identity cards, the assailants continued the attack, subjecting them to degrading treatment and sexually threatening remarks.
In a statement, the foundation condemned the incident in strong terms, describing it as a “gross violation of human rights.” It said:
“We strongly condemn the brutal assault and violation of rights of National Youth Service Corps members by operatives of Operation Udo Ga-Achi or Agunechemba Vigilante Group in Anambra State. The victims were not only brutalised but also humiliated in a manner that is dehumanising and degrading.”
The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling on security agencies and the Anambra State Government to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. Critics argue that while community vigilantes play an important role in complementing security efforts, their growing record of high-handedness and abuse of power poses a threat to citizens’ safety.
As of press time, neither the Anambra State Police Command nor the NYSC authorities had issued an official statement on the matter.
The Haven 360 Foundation has, however, urged the Inspector-General of Police and relevant human rights agencies to immediately intervene to ensure accountability and protect corps members serving in volatile communities.
The NYSC scheme, designed to foster unity and national integration by deploying graduates across Nigeria, has often been marred by concerns over the safety of corps members, particularly in conflict-prone and rural areas. This latest development has once again reignited debate over the adequacy of security measures provided for participants.
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