AWKA: Six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have filed a ₦1 billion lawsuit against the Anambra State Government, alleging unlawful detention and brutal assault by operatives of the state’s vigilante outfit, Agunechemba.
The plaintiffs — Jennifer Elohor, Greatness Oyeh, Eze Ikenna, Anighoro Godspower, Feyisara Amore, and Chimenum Wonodi — filed the case before the Federal High Court, Awka, through their counsel, Cyrus Onu.
In August, a viral video surfaced online showing armed members of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group storming a lodge occupied by the corps members and violently assaulting them.
One of the victims, Jennifer Elohor, was reportedly beaten and stripped naked despite presenting her NYSC identity card as proof of her status.
The vigilante operatives allegedly accused the corps members of engaging in internet fraud, commonly known as Yahoo Yahoo, before subjecting them to inhumane treatment.
In the suit marked FHC/298/2025, the plaintiffs listed the Anambra State Government, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the State Attorney-General, and the Agunechemba Vigilante Group as first to fourth respondents.
They are demanding ₦1 billion as compensation for the mental, physical, emotional, financial, and psychological trauma suffered during the alleged assault and unlawful detention.
The corps members are also seeking a declaration from the court that their arrest, detention, torture, and abuse were illegal, unlawful, unwarranted, unconstitutional, and violated their fundamental human rights.
Additionally, they want the court to compel the respondents to issue a public written apology, to be published in at least two national newspapers and one local newspaper in Anambra State.
The incident sparked outrage among Nigerians, with many calling for justice and stronger oversight of local vigilante groups operating across the country.
Human rights advocates have also urged the federal government and the NYSC management to ensure the safety and protection of corps members deployed to various states.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Anambra State Government have yet to officially comment on the lawsuit as of the time of filing this report.
