ABUJA — Fresh details have emerged in the case of Jennifer Elobor, a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member allegedly assaulted by local security operatives in Anambra State, as her lawyer, Cyrus Onu, revealed that the attackers threatened to rape and kill her for daring to speak out during the ordeal.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Onu recounted how the operatives, masked and armed, stormed the corps members’ lodge without proper identification, accusing them of being internet fraudsters.
“The security agents were banging on the door and when Jennifer tried to open it, they kicked it, almost hitting her in the face. Most of them wore masks and carried guns, so you can imagine the fear among the corps members,” the lawyer said.
Onu alleged that when Elobor requested to contact their Local Government Inspector (LGI) before being taken away, the operatives turned violent.
“That was when they started pouncing on her. They made derogatory remarks, saying, ‘Who gave you the right as a woman to talk to us like that?’ They beat her, and when she asked to change into something appropriate, they threatened: ‘That thing you’re trying to cover, we’ll see it today. We’ll beat you, rape you, kill you, and dump you, and nobody can do anything,’” Onu alleged.
The lawyer further claimed the operatives also threatened to kill corps members who tried to defend their colleague.
Reacting to the incident, the Anambra State Government, through Governor Charles Soludo’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, confirmed on Tuesday that the operatives involved had been arrested and suspended, pending further investigation.
“They are suspended because a case has been established against them. They have been handed over to the police while other disciplinary measures continue within our system, pending a final decision on prosecution,” Emeakayi stated.
However, Onu dismissed the government’s response as inadequate, accusing officials of attempting to downplay the matter.
“Ken claimed the victim was not forthcoming, but that’s false. In fact, when they got to the secretariat, those operatives were still firing guns to intimidate them. If not for NYSC inspectors, the corps members would not have been released,” he said.
Onu insisted that beyond government sanctions, the perpetrators must face the law and pay damages.
“We’ve written a petition to the Anambra State Government demanding prosecution. My clients are also seeking compensatory damages. There must be consequences for such bad behaviour,” he added.
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