Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the reported assault on a female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State, describing the incident as "inhumane, barbaric and primitive."
In a post on his official X handle on Tuesday, Obi expressed feeling "ashamed and heartbroken" that such an act could take place in 2025.
The incident, which has sparked outrage across the country, involved armed men believed to be operatives of Operation Udo Ga-Achi — also known as the Agunechemba Vigilante Group — storming a corps members' lodge in Anambra State. During the raid, they assaulted a female corps member, identified as Jennifer Edema Elohor, along with some of her colleagues.
A viral video of the incident showed Elohor being beaten and stripped naked by men wielding guns, prompting widespread condemnation.
Reacting to the incident, the former Anambra governor emphasized that no society should tolerate the abuse, humiliation, and dehumanization of its citizens, particularly women and the vulnerable.
"That young girl could have been anyone's daughter, sister, or even mine," Obi wrote. "What happened is not only a violation of law and morality, but also a direct assault on our collective humanity."
He urged relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted, stressing that the incident should serve as a deterrent against similar acts in the future.
Obi further called for stronger safeguards, policies, and communal values to protect the weak and uphold the dignity of every citizen.
"Our humanity must always come first. Without it, we are nothing but a people adrift in cruelty," he added.
This incident comes amid growing concerns about the safety of corps members serving in various parts of the country. The NYSC scheme, designed to foster national unity and integration, has faced challenges in recent years, with corps members sometimes becoming victims of violence and insecurity.
Reports indicate that security operatives involved in the assault have been arrested, though official confirmation of their prosecution is still awaited.
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