A well-known human rights lawyer and counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has strongly condemned the attack on a young female corps member in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The victim, Miss Jennifer Elohor, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was stripped naked and humiliated in her lodge by members of a local security group. Ejiofor described the act as a National shame and a display of lawlessness that should never be allowed in a civilized society.
In a press statement released on Thursday, Ejiofor said the cruel treatment of Jennifer was not only a personal tragedy for her but also an insult to the entire NYSC scheme. According to him, the NYSC was created to promote peace, service, and unity among young Nigerians, and no corps member should ever face such humiliation while serving the country.
Ejiofor asked a pointed question: “What crime could possibly justify the stripping naked of an unarmed young woman in her own Corpers’ Lodge? A place that should have been her safe haven was turned into a theatre of disgrace and suffering.”
The lawyer noted that in any decent society, such an act would never be justified and should not be ignored like many past human rights abuses in Nigeria.
He further explained that when he watched the disturbing video online, he was filled with sorrow and anger. “Here was a defenseless young woman, a daughter, a sister, and a potential mother, brutalised by those who should have protected her. Instead of being her shield, they became her attackers. My heart broke as I forced myself to watch it,” he said.
Ejiofor insisted that the act must not be treated as a mere incident but as a matter of national concern. “This is not just about one woman; it is about what our society is becoming. When those in charge of local security turn into predators, then order has collapsed,” he warned.
Although he supports the establishment of local vigilante groups to help maintain security, Ejiofor stressed that such groups must be properly trained, closely monitored, and made up of disciplined individuals. He said what happened to Jennifer was not the action of trained security personnel but rather the brutality of criminals pretending to be law enforcers.
He acknowledged reports that Governor Chukwuma Soludo may have ordered the arrest and dismissal of the suspects but insisted that dismissal alone is not enough. Justice must be done. These men must face the full weight of the law. Anything less will only encourage others to commit the same crime, Ejiofor said.
He also called on the state government to take responsibility for Jennifer’s welfare. According to him, compensation alone will not be sufficient. She deserves proper medical treatment, psychological support, and counseling to help her heal from the trauma.
Looking ahead, Ejiofor recommended that Governor Soludo should introduce regular training and retraining for the Udo-ga-Achi security outfit in Anambra. He also suggested setting up a team of independent advisers, respected men and women with integrity, to review and guide the operations of local security groups so that they are not turned into political tools or instruments of oppression.
Ejiofor ended his statement with a strong warning: “Security is not just the absence of crime. It is about trust, dignity, and justice. When those who are meant to protect us become agents of shame and humiliation, our very society is at risk. As Nigerians, we must rise and say: Never again.”
