Shola Akinyele
The Head of the Anambra State Vigilante Group, Agunechemba Ken Emekayii, has confirmed the dismissal of eight personnel who brutally assaulted a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ms. Jennifer Elobor, in Anambra State. Emekayii assured the public that the dismissed operatives will be handed over to the police for prosecution, stressing that “justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.”
The incident, which went viral on social media, showed Ms. Elobor being beaten and stripped of her clothing in a dehumanizing act that has sparked outrage across the country.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the assault, describing it as “degrading, inhumane, and a direct violation of her dignity and fundamental human rights.” In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA declared that such barbaric treatment has no place in a civilized society.
The NBA emphasized that while security outfits have the authority to apprehend offenders, such powers must never be exercised in a way that tramples upon the rights of innocent citizens. The association commended the Anambra State Government for its swift response in identifying and arresting the perpetrators but insisted that accountability must extend to prompt and diligent prosecution.
“The perpetrators must face the full weight of the law. Justice must serve both as redress for Ms. Elobor and as deterrence against future abuses,” the NBA statement read.
The incident has also drawn condemnation from prominent voices, with many Nigerians describing it as a “shameful act of barbarism.” One commentator lamented:
“That young girl could have been anyone’s daughter or sister. No society should tolerate the abuse and humiliation of its citizens, least of all the vulnerable and women.”
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