Photo File : Combo of Onu and the scene of the incident

Cyrus Onu, counsel to a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Elobor, who was recently assaulted by local security operatives in Anambra State, has alleged that the perpetrators threatened to rape and kill her during the attack.

Speaking on a media outlet on Wednesday, Onu said the incident occurred when operatives of Operation Udo Ga-Achi  also known as the Agunechemba Vigilante Group  stormed the corps members’ lodge in Oba community, Idemili South Local Government Area.

“They were banging on the door, and when Jennifer tried to open, they kicked it forcefully. Most of them were masked, in mufti, and armed with guns. The corps members were terrified,” Onu said.

He alleged that the operatives verbally abused the corps members, accusing them of being internet fraudsters, and attempted to drag them outside without proper identification.

“When Jennifer insisted that they should allow them to contact their Local Government Inspector (LGI) before leaving, they pounced on her, beating her and making derogatory remarks. They told her she had no right as a woman to speak to them. When she asked to change into proper clothes, they said, “That thing you are trying to cover, we will see it today. We will beat you, rape you, kill you, and dump you, and nobody can say anything,” the lawyer alleged.

Viral footage of the incident showed the vigilante operatives assaulting Elobor, tearing her clothes, and firing shots in the air.

Reacting, the Special Adviser to Governor Charles Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, confirmed on Tuesday that the officers involved had been arrested and suspended pending final disciplinary review.

“They are suspended because when a case has been established against someone, you arrest the person and hand him over to the police. Since they were not immediately prepared for prosecution, they are now undergoing disciplinary measures pending evaluation of the matter,” Emeakayi said.

However, Onu dismissed the government’s response as inadequate, insisting that his client was being unfairly portrayed as uncooperative.

“Ken was alleging that the lady was not forthcoming, and that was why they couldn’t proceed with the investigation. That is not true. At the secretariat, those operatives were still firing shots to intimidate them. If not for public outcry, they would have swept it under the carpet,” Onu argued.

He added that beyond prosecution, his client is also seeking compensation.

“There must be consequences for bad behaviour. They will pay damages. We have already written a petition to the Anambra State Government demanding prosecution and compensatory damages, and we will follow it up,” the lawyer stated.