The Anambra State Government has taken decisive action by dismissing eight operatives of the Agunechemba Security outfit after the shocking and widely condemned brutal assault and public stripping of a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elobor, which went viral on social media and triggered outrage across Nigeria.
The development was formally confirmed on Wednesday by Ken Emeakayi, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, during a press briefing held at the headquarters of the security agency in Awka, Anambra State. Emeakayi explained that the Soludo-led government wasted no time in acting on the reports and evidence received regarding the incident. He further disclosed that beyond their dismissal, the operatives would be handed over to the police to face full prosecution under the law.
According to Emeakayi, the officers in question had been on an operation on Tuesday, reportedly pursuing suspected cultists, when they deviated from their mission and brutally attacked the corps member. He emphasized that this action was completely outside the mandate of the community security outfit and represented a blatant abuse of authority that the government found totally unacceptable. “The assault on the innocent corps member was unlawful, unwarranted, and utterly condemnable,” Emeakayi declared.
He strongly reiterated that the Soludo administration would never tolerate any form of unprofessional conduct, brutality, or abuse of office by security personnel in Anambra State. He added that such acts undermine public trust in community security initiatives, and as such, those found guilty of misconduct would not only face immediate dismissal but also be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
He further revealed that, despite appeals from the victim’s family members and NYSC authorities who initially requested that the matter be resolved quietly, the government was resolute in pursuing a full-scale investigation to ensure justice was served. “We are committed to accountability and deterrence. Incidents like this will never be swept under the carpet,” Emeakayi insisted.
In a show of support for the victim, Emeakayi confirmed that the government had fully covered her medical expenses, replaced her damaged personal belongings, which included a laptop and a mobile phone, and issued an official apology to her, her family, the NYSC, and the Nigerian public at large. He noted that these steps were not just for restitution but also to reaffirm the administration’s commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens, especially young Nigerians serving the nation.
The government also stressed that this unfortunate incident would serve as a major turning point in reforming the operations of the Agunechemba Security outfit. Efforts are already being put in place to retrain and reorient operatives, instill professionalism, and restore public confidence in community security structures. “This administration is dedicated to ensuring that community policing and security engagements are rooted in professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights,” Emeakayi assured.
While the dismissed operatives are expected to face prosecution, attempts to confirm whether they had been officially handed over to the police as of press time were unsuccessful. Nonetheless, the government insists that due process will be followed and the matter pursued to its legal conclusion.
The case of Jennifer Elobor has since sparked widespread conversation online and offline, with many Nigerians applauding the Anambra State Government’s swift response while also calling for broader reforms in community-based security operations across the country.
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