A female National Youth Service Corps member, Jennifer Elohor, has narrated how she was assaulted by suspected operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Group, who allegedly stormed her residence and brutalised her despite showing proof of her identity.
Elohor, in an interview with media personality Aprokoking on Wednesday, said the incident happened on July 13 at about 5 p.m. in the lodge where she and her colleagues were staying.
According to her, the corps members were indoors when they heard persistent and aggressive knocks on their door.
“At first, we thought it was our neighbours, but before we knew it, the door was forced open. A man with a mask and gun entered without any identification. Initially, I thought it was an armed robber,” she recounted.
She explained that despite showing their NYSC identity cards, the men ignored them and went ahead to search the room, seizing phones and laptops.
“They dragged us downstairs, almost pushing me off the staircase. They kept shouting at me for daring to question them. When we got outside, I realised they were members of the Anambra Vigilante Group,” she said.
The corps member further alleged that the vigilantes turned more violent when she and her colleagues asked to notify their lodge proprietor or NYSC officials about the situation.
“They beat me, tore my clothes, and even hit one of my colleagues with an iron rod when he pleaded on my behalf. They pressed my neck, slapped me, and threatened to smash our phones if we contacted anyone,” she added.
A video of the assault, which went viral on Tuesday, showed armed vigilantes dragging corps members out of their lodge and accusing them of being internet fraudsters despite seeing their NYSC uniforms and identity cards.
The disturbing footage sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the act and calling for justice.
Reacting to the public outcry, the Anambra State Government confirmed that the vigilante operatives involved in the assault have been identified, arrested, dismissed, and placed in detention.
