Outrage has greeted Tuesday’s beating and stripping of a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member by alleged members of the Anambra security operatives.

In the video, which is attracting outrage on social media, the female member of the NYSC could be seen being flogged and stripped by gun-wielding men.

The incident took place in Oba, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

A source stated that the operatives stormed a corps members’ lodge in Anambra State and assaulted the female corps member, identified as Jennifer Edema Elohor, and some of her colleagues in the guise that they were “Yahoo people.”

A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, expressed outrage over the brutal attack on the female corps member.

Obi, in a statement he captioned, “A Cry for Justice Against Barbarism in Anambra,” said he felt ashamed as an Anambra man.

He said: “I just read with deep concern about the inhumane treatment meted out to a young lady in Anambra State.

“As an Anambrian myself, I feel not only ashamed but also deeply heartbroken that such cruelty could happen in 2025, in a society that ought to have advanced beyond such barbarous acts.

“I strongly condemn this act of primitive wickedness and savagery. No society should ever tolerate the abuse, humiliation, and dehumanisation of its citizens, least of all the vulnerable and women. What happened is not only a violation of law and morality, but also a direct assault on our collective humanity. That young girl could have been anyone’s daughter, sister, or even mine.”

While also condemning the development, the Anambra State Government confirmed that the personnel involved have been arrested and placed under investigation.

Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, described the assault as “unfortunate and unacceptable.”

Emeakayi explained that the incident occurred during a joint security operation, codenamed Operation Udo Ga Achi, which involved personnel from the police, army, DSS, Civil Defence, and the state’s own security outfit, Agbunechemba, acting under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law of 2025.

“The operatives were on the trail of suspected cultists riding motorcycles and chased them into a compound.

“In the process of searching the premises, the unfortunate incident involving the corps member occurred,” he said.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Joy Ezeilo, while condemning the assault of the lady, demanded safe cities for women, stressing that the current state of impunity must come to an end.

Ezeilo said: “Why do some men—especially those tasked with protecting us—choose to target women and violate their dignity? The viral video of the female Corper in Anambra State is a stark call for accountability: those responsible must be held to account. Who filmed this outrage, and who spread it?

“The answer, disturbingly, points to security personnel themselves. This demands urgent action. Every woman deserves respect for her dignity, her privacy, and her bodily autonomy. Let us stand up for women’s sanctuary—because justice means protecting everyone’s humanity.”

Meanwhile, the Police in Anambra State have confirmed that the assault was reportedly carried out by vigilante operatives.

A statement from the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects involved have been identified, regretting, however, that the alleged victim’s unavailability has temporarily stalled the ongoing investigative process.

He reiterated that assault in any form remains a criminal offence under Nigerian law, stressing that the police reserve the right to take necessary legal action to aid court proceedings while waiting for the victim.

Ikenga reassured corps members serving across the state of the police’s unwavering commitment to their protection, urging them to always report incidents of harassment, intimidation, or abuse for prompt intervention.

“The Command further cautions vigilante groups and other quasi-security outfits against acts of brutality or abuse of authority, warning that any such misconduct will not be condoned,” he stated. (The Guardian)