The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has condemned in strong terms the assault of a female Corps Member by operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Group in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, describing the incident as “barbaric, dehumanising, and utterly unacceptable.”
In a statement released early Wednesday by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the scheme stressed that no justification whatsoever could warrant such treatment of a Corps Member who represents the face of national unity and service.
> “Management wishes to assure the general public that it believes in, and supports, the ongoing investigation by the Nigeria Police Force towards unravelling what transpired. This, we trust, will help get justice for the Corps Member in question and any other aggrieved party,” the statement read.
The NYSC further disclosed that administrative steps have been taken to provide both physiological and psychological support to the affected Corps Member, while reiterating its unflinching commitment to the welfare and security of all Corps Members across the federation.
Viral Video Sparks National Outrage
The assault, which was captured in a viral video, has triggered nationwide outrage, with citizens demanding accountability and justice. Civil society groups, alumni of the scheme, and ordinary Nigerians have flooded social media with solidarity messages, condemning the growing trend of brutality by non-state security actors.
A former Corps Member, who served in Onitsha North LGA between 2021 and 2022, narrated his own unsettling encounters with vigilante operatives in Anambra, describing them as “naturally bitter and easily provoked.”
Unity, as he identified himself, recalled narrowly escaping several confrontations.
“There was nowhere I went without my Corper cap and ID, but you see those vigilante, nothing concern them if you be Corper or not. They still almost used am for me on several occasions. My stubbornness nor allow them, and most times I outsmarted them,” he recounted.
He added that the operatives later became familiar with him and often exchanged tense glances whenever they crossed paths. Expressing solidarity with the assaulted Corps Member, he declared:
> “I pray and hope our Delta sister gets justice. I stand with her. Justice for Elohor.”
The Anambra State Government has already announced initial measures to address the incident, promising that the matter will not be swept under the carpet. Meanwhile, Nigerians continue to demand that security operatives—both state and non-state—be held accountable for their actions, especially against young people serving the nation.
For many, this case is more than just about one Corps Member—it is about the safety, dignity, and respect owed to every Nigerian youth who sacrifices a year of their life to serve under the NYSC scheme.
PIONEER NEWS 