Corps member’s assault: Soludo sacks vigilantes, orders prosecution

The Anambra State Government has dismissed eight operatives of the Agunechemba Security outfit over the brutal assault and public stripping of a female corps member, Miss Jennifer Elobor.

The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, disclosed this at the agency’s headquarters in Awka on Wednesday.

Emeakayi said the government acted swiftly after receiving reports of the incident, adding that the operatives would be handed over to the police for prosecution.

According to him, the dismissed officers were in pursuit of suspected cultists on Tuesday, when they attacked the corps member, an action he described as “totally outside the mandate of the agency and utterly condemnable.”

He said, “The Soludo administration will not tolerate any form of unprofessionalism, brutality or abuse of office by security operatives. Any officer found guilty of misconduct will face immediate dismissal and prosecution.”

Despite pleas from the victim’s family and officials of the National Youth Service Corps for a quiet resolution, the state government insisted on a full investigation and accountability to serve as a deterrent.

Emeakayi added that the government had already settled the victim’s medical bills, replaced her damaged valuables, including a laptop and phone, and tendered a public apology to her family, NYSC and the general public.

He noted that the incident would serve as a turning point in reforming the outfit and restoring public confidence in community security operations.

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“This government is committed to professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights in all security engagements,” he stressed.

When contacted for confirmation on whether the operatives had been handed over to the police, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, did not respond to calls or messages.