Soludo Sacks and Orders Prosecution of Vigilante Operatives Who Assaulted NYSC Corps Member in Anambra

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has taken a decisive step by sacking and ordering the prosecution of eight Agunechemba vigilante operatives who were caught on video brutally assaulting a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area. The viral clip below, which circulated widely across social media, sparked nationwide outrage and renewed debates over vigilante excesses in Nigeria.

According to BBC Pidgin, the operatives were handed over to the police on August 20, 2025, following swift intervention by the state government. Soludo’s action marks a rare case of immediate accountability in a country where vigilante abuses are frequently ignored or dismissed.

The Agunechemba vigilante group, originally formed to combat crime and complement official security agencies in Anambra, has long been accused of operating beyond its mandate. A 2023 study by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research revealed that 62% of vigilante abuses nationwide go unpunished, highlighting a culture of impunity that undermines the very security such groups are meant to provide.

Human Rights Watch, in a 2021 report, documented more than 150 cases of extrajudicial killings and brutal assaults linked to local vigilante groups across Nigeria. The Oba incident fits into this troubling pattern, but Soludo’s quick dismissal and directive for prosecution stand out as an unusual show of political will.

Eyewitnesses recounted how the corps member was harassed and beaten for reportedly questioning the actions of the operatives during a routine stop. The video, showing the victim being struck repeatedly, fueled anger especially among young Nigerians, many of whom view NYSC members as vulnerable symbols of national unity who should be protected rather than victimized.

The incident also underscores long-standing tensions between state-backed security outfits and NYSC members serving in volatile communities. With insecurity persisting across Nigeria, corps members often find themselves caught between banditry threats and the heavy-handedness of those meant to protect them. This assault in Oba has now reignited calls for reform in how vigilante groups are supervised and held accountable.

Governor Soludo, in his statement, emphasized that his administration would not tolerate abuses that tarnish Anambra’s security framework. “No one is above the law, and no group has the right to brutalize innocent citizens, let alone corps members serving their fatherland,” he said, assuring the public that the case would be pursued to its logical conclusion.

The move has been praised by rights activists who argue that only strong, visible actions like this can begin to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security system. However, skeptics warn that the true test will be in ensuring the prosecution is not stalled or quietly abandoned once public attention shifts.

For now, Soludo’s swift response has drawn national attention and set a precedent many believe other governors should emulate. Whether this moment signals the beginning of greater accountability for vigilante groups across Nigeria remains to be seen, but for the assaulted corps member and countless others who have faced similar ordeals in silence, it represents a long overdue step toward justice.

Watch the video below