Jennifer Elohor, a 28-year-old corps member from Delta State posted to Oba in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State, has narrated how she was brutally assaulted, stripped naked, and taken away by operatives of Agunechemba, the state-owned security outfit, who raided their lodge over allegations of Internet fraud. Speaking for the first time after the incident went viral, the Delta State University Zoology graduate told Godfrey George she is determined to seek justice.
On July 23, 2025, around 5 p.m., Jennifer and other corps members were in their lodge when armed, masked men forced their way in. At first, she thought they were robbers. “They had no uniforms or ID, just guns and masks. They ordered us out, accusing us of being ‘Yahoo boys,’ even though we showed them our NYSC ID cards and uniforms,” she recalled.
When she insisted they call their Local Government Inspector or school proprietor, the men became violent. “One hit me with a stick, others joined in. They slapped, kicked, and beat me with guns. They tore off my clothes and dragged me naked downstairs,” she said.
The attackers — about 10 to 12 men in three vehicles — threatened to shoot anyone who resisted. Jennifer and eight other corps members were bundled into their vans and driven through a bush path. “I thought that was the end. I believed they could kill us and dump our bodies, and no one would know,” she said.
At their secretariat, the vigilantes separated the youths, seized devices, and accused them of fraud and drug use. Jennifer remained half-naked, bleeding, and terrified. “Even when we explained we were corps members, they said it didn’t matter. They demanded we confess to Internet fraud.”
Relief only came hours later when one of them was finally allowed to call their school proprietor, who confirmed their identities. “That was when they let us go, but not without demanding we ‘settle’ them first,” Jennifer said.
She condemned the brutality and vowed to press charges. “They stripped me of my dignity, but I will not be silent. I want justice, not just for myself but for every corps member who could face this kind of abuse,” she concluded.
At one point, the attackers fired their guns into the air three times. “My heart sank. I thought they would shoot us because we had no money,” she recalled. One of the leaders tried to single her out, but she managed to blend in with her colleagues and escape.
Upon returning to their lodge, they immediately contacted the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) authorities. Their LGI, Mr. Anayo, promised to visit the next day. At that time, Jennifer didn’t realize that a fellow corps member had filmed part of the assault — capturing her being beaten, wounded, and stripped. They eventually shared the video with the LGI, who arrived later that evening around 9:20 p.m.
Jennifer was shocked by his response: “He said, ‘Some of you ladies are going to get married to men who beat women. So, this is training for you.’” Despite his remarks, he invited them to the LG’s office the following day and claimed the assailants had been arrested. Jennifer insisted on seeing them in custody and having the case prosecuted, but she was repeatedly blocked from confirming their detention.
At the office in Awka, the proceedings were conducted mostly in Igbo, leaving her unable to follow much of the conversation. Although she was shown a few men for identification, she recognized the arrest as staged — she later saw the same men freely walking in the area the next day.
The experience left her frustrated and disillusioned. Even after reporting it, Mr. Anayo dismissed her concerns, describing the incident as “old issues.”
Jennifer still has several months of her service left until October and faces the daunting prospect of returning to the same lodge where the attack occurred.
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