Fresh details have emerged in the case of Jennifer Elobor, the female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who was brutally assaulted by local security operatives in Anambra State.
According to her lawyer, Cyrus Onu, the operatives who stormed the Corpers’ Lodge in Oba, Idemili-South Local Government Area, not only beat Jennifer, but also threatened to rape and kill her for daring to speak up.
“They didn’t identify themselves. Most of them were masked, dressed in mufti, and carrying guns.
“When Jennifer insisted they allow her and her colleagues to call their Local Government Inspector before following them anywhere, they pounced on her,” Onu said on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief” on Wednesday.
“She asked to change into proper clothes, but they mocked her, saying, ‘That thing you’re trying to cover, we’ll see it today.
“We’ll beat you up, we’ll rape you, kill you, and dump you, and nobody can say anything.’”
The lawyer added that the operatives hurled derogatory remarks at her, questioning why a woman should challenge them.
He further alleged that they threatened to kill other corps members who tried to defend her.
A viral video of the incident showed armed men of the Operation Udo Ga-Achi (Agunechemba Vigilante Group), dragging Jennifer, tearing her clothes, and beating her as she screamed for help.
In reaction, the Anambra State Government, through Governor Charles Soludo’s aide on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, confirmed that the operatives involved had been arrested and suspended, pending disciplinary review.
But Onu dismissed the government’s stance as inadequate.
He accused Emeakayi of making “unacceptable comments,” including claims that Jennifer was not forthcoming during investigations.
“That is not true. In fact, at the secretariat, those men were still firing shots into the air to intimidate the corps members.
“If not for NYSC officials who intervened, they wouldn’t have been released.
“The government is not prepared to prosecute these people,” Onu alleged.
He added that his client would pursue justice beyond the government’s disciplinary measures.
“There must be consequences for this kind of behaviour.
“We have already written a petition to the state government, demanding prosecution of those responsible.
“Beyond that, we are seeking compensatory damages, and they will have to pay,” the lawyer vowed.
Analysts say there is madness everywhere, especially as government has teenaged on its primary responsibility of securing lives and property, and providing illegal jobs for their political thugs armed with guns, rather than provide meaningful employment for qualified youths.
