Anambra First Lady Dr. Nonye Soludo condemned the assault of a female corps member.
She described the viral attack by vigilantes as humiliating, troubling, and completely unacceptable.
The wife of the Anambra State governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has strongly condemned the assault of a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ms. Jennifer Elobor, by operatives of a local vigilante group in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.
The incident, which drew widespread outrage after a video surfaced showing the corps member being stripped and assaulted, has been described as both humiliating and unacceptable by citizens and rights advocates.
In a statement released to journalists in Awka, Dr. Soludo said she found the development “disturbing” and contrary to the values for which Anambra is known. She noted that the state’s identity is built on hospitality and humane principles, not on acts of brutality.
“I have seen the viral footage of the incident involving men of the Agunechemba security formation and a corps member in Oba. There can be no justification whatsoever for such a degrading and humiliating abuse,” she said.
The governor’s wife stressed that there are always rules of engagement in maintaining law and order, and those rules must uphold dignity, civility, and respect for human rights. According to her, the actions of the vigilante group not only undermined law enforcement but also damaged the reputation of the state.
“I find the Oba incident extremely troubling and appeal to the authorities already handling the matter to take firm measures to ensure justice. Most importantly, steps must be taken to guarantee that we never witness such scenes again. Anambra’s image is priceless, and we must protect it jealously,” she added.
Her call for justice comes as the Anambra State Government announced the arrest of the vigilante operatives involved in the assault. Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation is underway and that those found culpable will be prosecuted.
The assault has caused outrage across the country, with many describing it as a violation of the rights and dignity of young Nigerians serving their nation. Civil society groups, student unions, and prominent voices on social media have demanded accountability and reforms to stop such abuses.
Dr. Soludo concluded her statement by urging citizens to uphold values of respect and decency, insisting that no society can progress while tolerating abuse of its youth and future leaders.
