The West Africa Youth Protection and Advocacy Network (WAYPAN) has raised alarm over the growing pattern of state violence against Nigerian youths, following the reported assault of Jennifer Elohor, a 28-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Oba, Idemili Local Government Area, Anambra State.
Elohor was reportedly assaulted, stripped naked, and taken away for questioning by operatives of the state-owned security outfit, Agunechemba, over alleged internet fraud.
Regional coordinator, WAYPAN, Rafiu Lawal, in a statement, said operatives of Agunechemba, a state government-owned security outfit, stormed the Corps Lodge, assaulted all members present, and stripped a female corps member, despite the victims identifying themselves as young Nigerians serving the nation under lawful protection.
The group condemned the attacks as illegal, unconstitutional and traumatic, noting that the operatives failed to identify themselves or state their mission before launching the violent assault.
Though the Anambra state government disclosed that the eight personnel responsible have been identified and arrested and would be prosecuted, Lawal argued that no law, including Anambra State policing regulations, justifies such unprovoked actions by the vigilante group.
Lawal said: “WAYPAN strongly condemns these illegal and unconstitutional actions. No Nigerian, especially National Youth Service Corps members on lawful national assignment, should be subjected to such humiliating and traumatic treatment. The Nigerian Constitution, alongside national and international laws, protects citizens from abuse of their fundamental rights.
“Furthermore, laws such as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Police Act, and established policing guidelines outline civil approaches to law enforcement. Likewise, in the Nigerian National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security, the government commits to facilitating inclusive processes for protecting young people from becoming victims of violence.
“In fact, no law, including Anambra State’s policing regulations, justifies this kind of unprovoked assault. We therefore demand justice for the victims, including compensation for the affected corps members and prosecution of the operatives involved. This must serve as a deterrent to future violations.”
The organisation also urged the NYSC to strengthen protection mechanisms for corps members nationwide.
While citing similar recent incidents in Lagos and Abuja, the group warned that continued impunity could normalise state violence against youth, undermine public trust in government institutions, and discourage youth participation in national service and civic engagement.
“It is worth recalling that only days ago, a Nigerian citizen in Lagos was assaulted by a police officer for using eyeglasses to record. This followed a similar incident in Abuja, where the eyeglasses of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore were seized by a police staff member.
“These incidents appear to be setting a troubling precedent. The actions of the Agunechemba operatives must not be dismissed as mere administrative misconduct, as suggested by representatives of the Anambra State government. Instead, they must be recognised as grave violations of democratic and human rights, especially those of Nigerian youth.
“If corps members can be assaulted with such impunity, it sends a wrong signal that no youth is safe. This undermines trust in the state’s responsibility to protect lives and property, potentially fostering a culture of violence and discouraging youth engagement in peacebuilding,” he stated.
He appealed to all levels of government to safeguard the rights and lives of Nigerian youth, increasingly endangered by the abuse of political, security, and administrative power.
