James Uche
The Anambra State Government has dismissed eight operatives of the Agunechemba Security outfit following the brutal assault and public humiliation of a female corps member, Miss Jennifer Elobor. The operatives, accused of stripping and attacking the victim while in pursuit of suspected cultists, were immediately relieved of their duties and handed over for prosecution.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, confirmed the dismissal in Awka on Wednesday, describing the act as “totally outside the mandate of the agency and utterly condemnable.” He stressed that the Soludo administration would not tolerate unprofessionalism, brutality, or abuse of power by security operatives, warning that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face both dismissal and prosecution.
Background to the incident shows that Miss Elobor, serving her National Youth Service Corps year in Anambra, was returning from a community engagement programme on Tuesday when she was accosted by the operatives. Mistakenly profiling her as an associate of cult suspects they were chasing, the vigilantes pounced on her in full public view, beating, stripping and shaming her. Eyewitnesses reported that repeated pleas from bystanders to spare her fell on deaf ears until senior community members intervened to stop the assault.
The incident was captured on mobile devices and quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage across the country and drawing condemnation from civil society organisations, youth groups, and the NYSC.
Despite appeals from the victim’s family and officials of the NYSC for a quiet resolution, the state government insisted on a full investigation and accountability. Emeakayi disclosed that the government had settled Miss Elobor’s medical bills, replaced her damaged belongings—including a laptop and phone—and tendered a public apology to her family, the NYSC, and the general public.
The incident, he noted, would serve as a turning point in reforming community security operations in the state. “This government is committed to professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights in all security engagements,” he said.
Although the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, did not confirm whether the dismissed operatives had been formally transferred to the police for prosecution, the government maintained that accountability would be pursued to its fullest extent.
For Anambra, the case underlines both the risks of unchecked community security operations and the government’s resolve to uphold dignity and justice in safeguarding its citizens.