Anambra Vigilantes Tried to Silence Assaulted NYSC Members with Cash – Lawyer Alleges

A lawyer has alleged that Anambra vigilantes bribed assaulted NYSC members with up to ₦100,000 to silence them, while also accusing the police of aiding in a cover-up, and is demanding ₦1 billion in compensation for the victims’ trauma.

A lawyer representing several National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members allegedly assaulted in Anambra State has claimed that local vigilantes attempted to bribe the victims to stay silent.

According to Cyrus Onu, the lawyer, members of a vigilante group operating under the codename “Operation Udo-ga-achi” offered cash payments ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦100,000 to the corps members. The alleged aim was to suppress any public disclosure of the incident.

He detailed that:

• Six corps members were given ₦10,000 each,
• One received ₦25,000 in cash,
• Another got ₦25,000 via bank transfer, and
• A female victim, Jennifer Edema Elohor, received ₦100,000.

“The leader of the vigilante group in Oba handed them the money in front of the NYSC Local Government Inspector (LGI), who also helped delete the video evidence from their phones,” Onu stated.
“Though they labeled the ₦10,000 as ‘compensation’ and ‘transport fare,’ it was clearly hush money, accompanied by veiled threats urging them to stay silent or face possible consequences.”

Among those reportedly assaulted were:

• Jennifer Edema Elohor – who was allegedly stripped and beaten while crying for help,
• Greatness Oyeh,
• Eze Ikenna Emmanuel,
• Anighoro Godspower,
• Amore Mordecai Feyisara, and
• Beauty Chimenum Wonodi.

Due to concerns over their safety, the lawyer has petitioned the NYSC to urgently relocate all affected corps members.

Onu also accused the Anambra State Police of initially ignoring the incident and even assisting in the deletion of video evidence. He noted that Jennifer sent the video to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who promised action but allegedly failed to respond until the case attracted media attention.

Onu is now demanding ₦1 billion in compensation for the victims, citing the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma they have suffered.

When contacted by PUNCH, Anambra State PPRO Tochukwu Ikenga denied any police involvement in a cover-up. He explained that delays in the investigation were due to Jennifer’s temporary unavailability and emphasized the police’s commitment to pursuing justice.

READ ALSO: Corps Member Criticizes Enugu State Government Over ₦892 NYSC Allowance

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GISTREEL