Anambra LP Lawmakers Tackle Soludo Over Assault On NYSC Member

Labour Party lawmakers from Anambra State have criticised the state government over its handling of the assault on a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Jennifer Oedema Elobor, by operatives of the local vigilante group, Agunaechemba.

In a joint statement issued in Awka, the lawmakers accused Governor Chukwuma Soludo of attempting to downplay the incident, saying it was public outrage that forced the government to act.

The lawmakers, including Senators Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye, alongside five House of Representatives members — Ozodinobi George, Afam Ogene, Idu Emeka, Oby Orogbu, Uche Okonkwo and Anekwe Peter — described the assault as “heinous, cruel and criminal.”

They questioned why it took weeks before the state government dismissed the vigilante operatives and initiated prosecution, insisting that the perpetrators should face the full weight of the law.

The group further alleged that the Soludo administration often used Agunaechemba for political intimidation, citing the recent by-elections as an example. According to them, Deputy Governor Onyeka Ibezim was seen mobilising the operatives to disrupt voting in Osumenyi and allegedly intimidating APC candidates.

They warned the governor against using the vigilante group to influence the November 8 governorship election, saying such actions would be firmly resisted.

But the governor’s press secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, dismissed the allegations, maintaining that Soludo acted immediately after the assault by ordering the arrest and detention of the offenders.

He denied that the deputy governor led vigilante operatives to harass opposition candidates, saying Ibezim was only ensuring security and rescuing voters from political thugs during the by-election.

“Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration does not condone human rights abuses. This government is gender sensitive and prioritises the protection of women. Once the incident occurred, the operatives involved were arrested and investigations commenced,” Aburime said.