The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has strongly condemned the brutal assault of a serving Corps member, Jennifer Elobor, by operatives of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Aba-based environmental and human rights advocacy group described the incident as “inhumane, degrading, and a gross violation of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions against torture and cruel treatment.”
According to FENRAD, Ms. Elobor was
“brutally assaulted and publicly stripped,” an action the organization says constitutes not just a personal attack on the young corps member but also a dangerous precedent that undermines the dignity of Nigeria’s youth, women, and public service ideals.
FENRAD outlined five urgent demands in response to the incident. These include:
The immediate arrest and prosecution of all individuals involved under state and federal laws, including the Anti-Torture Act of 2017.
A full judicial inquiry into the operations and accountability of Operation Udo Ga Chi and other vigilante groups across the southeast.
Possible disbandment or restructuring of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group if found guilty of systemic rights abuses.
A public apology and compensation to Ms. Elobor.
Stronger engagement from the NYSC Directorate and federal authorities to protect corps members nationwide.
The group stressed that while community-based security initiatives are important, no security outfit—state-sanctioned or otherwise—operates above the law.
“Justice for Jennifer Is Justice for All.”
FENRAD further called on the Inspector-General of Police, the National Human Rights Commission, and civil society partners to see this case as a test of Nigeria’s human rights enforcement.
“We stand in solidarity with Ms. Elobor and her family and urge all well-meaning Nigerians to demand accountability and dignity for all citizens,” the statement read.
