The lawyer representing a female National Youth Service Corps member who was brutally assaulted by security operatives in Anambra State has revealed that the agents threatened to rape and kill his client during the violent attack.
Cyrus Onu, who represents Jennifer Elobor, disclosed these shocking details while appearing on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, describing a harrowing encounter that has sparked nationwide outrage.
The incident unfolded when masked security operatives stormed the corps members’ residence in the Oba community of Anambra State without proper identification, creating immediate terror among the young service members.
Onu described the violent entry, explaining how the operatives forced their way into the apartment where Elobor and other corps members were staying.
“They [security agents] were banging the door, and Jennifer was trying to open the door, and they just kicked the door, and it almost hit their face,” the lawyer recounted during the television interview.
The operatives, who appeared in civilian clothing with face masks and carried firearms, immediately intimidated the corps members with their aggressive approach.
“Most of them were masked in mufti with guns, so you can imagine how scared the kids [corps members] were,” Onu stated.
According to the lawyer, the security agents provided no identification when they confronted the corps members, instead immediately launching into accusations of criminal activity.
“They [security agents] didn’t give any identification. They just said, ‘Come down, come down. You’re all thieves! You’re all ‘Yahoo’ people!'” Onu revealed.
The situation deteriorated rapidly when Elobor attempted to follow proper protocol by requesting permission to contact her Local Government Inspector before being taken anywhere, since the corps members could not identify who the operatives were.
“When they tried to drag them downstairs, Jennifer was insisting that if they must take them anywhere, they should allow them [corps members] to call their LGI [Local Government Inspector] because the corps members did not know who the operatives were,” the lawyer explained.
This reasonable request for proper procedure apparently enraged the security operatives, who then turned their violence specifically toward Elobor for daring to speak up.
“That was when they started pouncing on her. They made derogatory comments, asking her who gave her the right as a lady to speak to them anyhow. They started beating her,” Onu disclosed.
The assault took an even more disturbing turn when Elobor made a simple request to change into appropriate clothing before being taken away. According to her lawyer, this basic request triggered extremely threatening language from the operatives.
“She asked them to allow her to change into something appropriate, and they said, ‘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,'” Onu revealed.
The lawyer also disclosed that the security agents extended their deadly threats to other corps members who attempted to defend their colleague during the brutal assault.
The entire violent episode was captured on video that subsequently went viral across social media platforms, showing the operatives beating Elobor and tearing her clothing while she remained defenseless.
The security operatives involved in the assault have been identified as members of Operation ‘Udo Ga-Achi,’ also known as the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, a local security outfit operating under Anambra State authority.
Following widespread public condemnation of the incident, the Anambra State Government responded through Ken Emeakayi, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, announcing that those responsible had been arrested.
“They are suspended because when a case has been established against someone, you arrest the person, then hand him over to the police,” Emeakayi said on Tuesday.
The government official explained that the operatives had been suspended pending a full evaluation to determine whether they would face prosecution.
“Now, since they were not readily prepared for persecution, which will be carried out by the police, they are now undergoing other disciplinary measures within our system, pending the final evaluation of the matter, whether they are going to court or not going to court as it relates to the victim,” Emeakayi stated.
However, Onu strongly rejected the government’s characterization of events and criticized the handling of the matter by state officials.
The lawyer disputed claims that his client had not been cooperative with investigations, revealing additional intimidation that occurred even after the initial assault.
“Ken was alleging that the lady was not forthcoming, and that was why they couldn’t go on with the investigation. That’s not true. In fact, when they got to the secretariat, those people were still firing guns in the air to intimidate them,” Onu countered.
He revealed that it required intervention from an NYSC official to secure the corps members’ release from the continuing harassment.
“It was one of the local inspectors who came from the NYSC that told them to allow them [corps members] to go; that was how they let them go,” the lawyer explained.
Onu expressed deep skepticism about the government’s commitment to justice, suggesting that without public pressure, the matter would have been ignored entirely.
“If not for the fact that it [the incident] came to the public. All of those things they are saying are not true. They are not prepared to prosecute; they are not going to prosecute,” the lawyer alleged.
Beyond seeking criminal prosecution of the perpetrators, Onu announced that his clients are pursuing financial compensation for the trauma and damages they suffered.
“And, of course, that is not the only redress our clients are seeking. There must be consequences for bad behaviour, and they [the perpetrators] will pay damages. My clients are seeking compensatory damages, and they will have to pay,” he declared.
The legal team has already taken formal action by submitting a petition to the Anambra State government demanding prosecution of those responsible for the assault.
“We’ve since written a petition to the government of Anambra State demanding that those persons be prosecuted, and we will follow up to also ensure compensatory damages,” Onu confirmed.
The Nigerian Bar Association has also condemned the assault on the corps member and demanded prosecution of those responsible, adding institutional weight to calls for justice.
