The brutalization of corps member

The brutalization of a female member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, Miss Jennifer Edema Elohor, and some of her colleagues by operatives of Anambra State security outfit, Udo-ga-achi, has attracted national outrage and condemnation. The abuse of Elohor is a violation of her human rights and an affront on womanhood. A viral video of the incident showed how the armed Udo-ga-achi operatives stormed the corps members’ lodge in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State and assaulted the female corps member and others in July, this year.

Elohor and other brutalized corps members were accused of being internet fraudsters despite showing their identification cards and uniforms to the Anambra State security operatives. The main victim, Elohor, pleaded with them to stop dehumanizing her. The local security operatives late whisked them away in their operational vehicle.

Anambra State government has condemned the dastardly incident. The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, who oversees the security outfit, described it as unfortunate and unacceptable. Emeakayi said that though the operatives were carrying out their lawful duties, they went overboard, adding that the operatives involved in the assault had been arrested and are currently under investigation.

Similarly, Anambra State First Lady, Nonye Soludo, has decried the despicable action of the security operatives, stressing that there was no justification for the abuse and humiliation of Elohor and others. She condemned the Oba barbaric incident and urged security agencies to ensure justice for Elohor and others. In the same vein, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations of NYSC, Caroline Embu, has condemned the unacceptable and dehumanizing attack on the corps member.

This is, indeed, not the first time the Udo-ga-achi operatives would be accused of excessive display of power in the state. They were recently accused of brutalizing the former president of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Okechukwu Akaneme, on October 11, 2024, over false allegation of owing waste management levy. There were allegations that the victim might have died of complications arising from injuries inflicted on him by the operatives. Although the state government has exonerated the Udo-ga-achi security agency over Akaneme’s death, their overzealous is worrisome.

We loathe the inhuman treatment meted to Elohor and call for the speedy trial of the affected Udo-ga-achi operatives and punish them according to the laws of the land. Their barbarism must never go unpunished. The avoidable violence visited on Elohor must not be swept under the carpet. There must be justice for the victim of this inhuman bestiality. We call on Governor Soludo to reform the ubiquitous security outfit immediately with specific operational guidelines and code of conduct. We decry the overzealousness of the security outfit. The excesses of the Anambra State security outfit must be checked forthwith. The uncaring attitude of the Udo-ga-achi operatives is perhaps why some Nigerians are against the establishment of state police, which they believe will be abused by state governors.

It is sad that the human rights of many Nigerian citizens are being routinely violated by officials of the state, especially security operatives. It was police brutality that led to the anti-SARS protests of 2020. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s monthly human rights situation report indicate that human rights are routinely violated in the South-East by both state and non-state actors. According to NHRC, of the three geo-political zones of the South, the South-East has, by far, the worst record of human rights violation, with 41,895 cases reported last month, as against 15,280 in the South-West and 14, 570 cases in the South-South. The situation is disturbing.

The Elohor incident must not be a norm. Her maltreatment cannot be excused. Let the culprits be diligently prosecuted. The trial should be open and transparent. There must be justice for Elohor.

The unnecessary demonstration of raw power by Udo-ga-achi operatives must be curtailed. The undue lawlessness of the security outfit is unbecoming and must be checked. Considering the rising insecurity in the South-East and other regions in the country, the establishment of local security operatives has become imperative.

However, there must be operational guidelines for their seamless operation. They should be properly monitored as well. Security agencies are supposed to protect the people and not to terrorise them.