Six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have filed a ₦1 billion lawsuit against the Anambra State Government over their alleged assault and unlawful detention by operatives of the state’s vigilante group, Agunechemba.
The corps members — Jennifer Elohor, Greatness Oyeh, Eze Ikenna, Anighoro Godspower, Feyisara Amore, and Chimenum Wonodi — filed the suit before the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State.
A viral video circulated in August showed operatives of the vigilante group storming the corps members’ lodge and assaulting them. One of the victims, Elohor, was reportedly beaten and stripped naked by the gun-wielding men.
The vigilantes allegedly accused the corps members of being internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “yahoo boys,” and attacked them despite their efforts to identify themselves with NYSC identity cards.
Through their counsel, Cyrus Onu, the plaintiffs listed the Anambra State Government, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the State Attorney-General, and the Agunechemba Vigilante Group as first to fourth respondents respectively.
In the suit, marked FHC/298/2025, they are seeking ₦1 billion in damages for the mental, physical, emotional, and psychological trauma allegedly inflicted on them during the incident.
They are also asking the court to declare their arrest, detention, and torture as illegal, unlawful, and a violation of their fundamental human rights.
Additionally, the plaintiffs are seeking a court order compelling the respondents to issue a written public apology to be published in at least two national newspapers and one local newspaper in Anambra State.