The Anambra State Government has confirmed the arrest of operatives involved in the assault of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elobor, by members of the state security outfit.
A viral video posted on Tuesday showed armed operatives storming a lodge occupied by corps members, accusing them of internet fraud despite their identification cards and uniforms.
The video captured the moment Elobor was beaten, her clothes torn, and her pleas for mercy ignored, sparking outrage across social media.
Reacting to the incident on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, described the assault as “unfortunate and unacceptable.”
He disclosed that the operatives responsible had been arrested, detained, and placed under investigation.
According to Emeakayi, the incident occurred during a joint task force operation, codenamed Operation Udo Gatchi, involving the police, army, DSS, civil defence, and Agbunechemba, the state’s security outfit.
He said the operatives were in pursuit of suspected cultists when they entered a residential compound where the corps members lived.
“In the process of searching the houses, the unfortunate incident involving the corps member occurred.
While they were acting within the law, their conduct in that instance was unacceptable,” he said.
Emeakayi explained that the government acted immediately once the case was reported. “We arrested the operatives involved and placed them in detention.
Preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine whether the matter warrants internal disciplinary action or prosecution,” he noted.
He added that Elobor and NYSC officials were invited to his office, where he personally heard their account.
He stressed that while the security team was on a legitimate assignment, their actions were unjustifiable.
Emeakayi reassured residents that Governor Soludo’s administration would not condone abuse of power by security agents, particularly against innocent citizens.