NYSC Member Recounts Assault By Anambra Vigilante Operatives

A National Youth Service Corps member (NYSC), Jennifer Elohor, has narrated her harrowing ordeal at the hands of operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Group, who allegedly broke into her lodge, assaulted her, and forcefully whisked her and her colleagues away.

Elohor, who spoke during an interview with media personality Aprokoking, said the incident occurred on July 13 at approximately 5 p.m. at their residence in Anambra.

According to her, she and her colleagues were indoors when they heard a violent knock.

“At first, we thought it was our neighbours’ door because it’s a three-storey building with several flats. But the knock became louder and more aggressive, so I decided to check. Before I could reach the door, it was kicked open,” she recounted.

Elohor said a masked man armed with a gun stormed in without any identification or uniform.

She further stated, “At first, I thought it was an armed robber until he ordered all of us to come outside. I tried to explain that we were corps members and even suggested showing our NYSC identity cards. My colleagues also presented theirs, but the men ignored us.”

The corps member stated that the men ransacked their apartment, seized their phones and laptops, and subjected them to physical assault.

“They pushed us downstairs, almost shoving me down the staircase. They kept asking what gave me the right, as a woman, to challenge them. It was when we got outside that we saw their vehicle and discovered they were from the Anambra Vigilante Group,” she said.

Elohor further alleged that when they attempted to call their lodge proprietor or NYSC officials, the operatives became more brutal.

“They beat me, tore my clothes, and even hit one of my colleagues with an iron rod for pleading on my behalf. They forced me into their vehicle, pressing my neck, slapping me, and threatening to smash our phones if we contacted anyone,” she narrated.

A video of the incident, which went viral on Tuesday, showed armed vigilante operatives storming the corps members’ lodge and accusing them of being internet fraudsters, despite seeing their NYSC uniforms and identity cards.

The footage also captured the female corps member being beaten repeatedly while crying out for help.

The video has since sparked widespread outrage on social media, with Nigerians condemning the actions of the vigilantes and demanding justice for the corps members.

Following the backlash, the Anambra State Government announced that those responsible had been identified, arrested, and detained.

It also confirmed that the operatives involved in the assault had been dismissed from the vigilante service.