The Anambra State Government has dismissed eight members of the Agunechemba security outfit following their involvement in the assault of a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at the outfit’s headquarters in Awka by Ken Emeakayi, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security.
Emeakayi explained that the decision followed official reports of the assault, stressing that the dismissed operatives would be handed over to the police for prosecution. He noted that the incident occurred on Tuesday when the officers, reportedly chasing suspected cultists, turned their aggression toward the corps member in an act that he described as outside the agency’s mandate and entirely unacceptable.
According to him, the Soludo-led administration maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward unprofessionalism, abuse of office, and brutality within security ranks. He emphasized that officers found guilty of misconduct would be immediately dismissed and prosecuted.
The adviser further described the case as a turning point in the reform of the Agunechemba outfit, assuring that the state government was committed to building a culture of professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights in security operations.
The incident, which sparked widespread outrage, came to public attention through a viral video showing operatives of the outfit assaulting the corps member and stripping her naked.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemned the actions of the officers, joining the call for accountability.
Cyrus Onu, the lawyer representing the victim, confirmed that petitions had been filed with the Anambra State Government and the Attorney General of the Federation.
He insisted that beyond criminal prosecution, the state and those in charge must also be held accountable through compensation. “We have written petitions to the Anambra government, to the Attorney General of the Federation, and we have been demanding that these persons be prosecuted and they pay compensatory damages. We gave a timeline; it is allowed by the law. After that, we’ll take all the necessary steps, both civil and criminal, to ensure that these persons are not just prosecuted but, of course, the security outfit itself and the persons in charge, who will be the executive governor of Anambra State, will be made to pay compensation. We are demanding compensatory damages, not just criminal prosecutions for these persons,” Onu told Channels Television.
What you should know
The dismissal of the eight Agunechemba operatives marks a significant disciplinary step by the Anambra State Government, reflecting its stance against human rights abuses in local security outfits.
The case has attracted widespread attention after the viral video of the assault, pushing both the public and the Nigerian Bar Association to demand justice. The government insists on reforms to restore trust in community security, while the victim’s lawyer is pursuing both prosecution and compensation.
The outcome of this case could reshape the standards of accountability and professionalism for grassroots security agencies in Nigeria.
