LGI told me beatings were ‘training for marriage’ after vigilante assault

Jennifer Elohor, a 28-year-old NYSC corps member from Delta State, has recounted the terrifying ordeal of being brutally assaulted and stripped naked by vigilantes in Anambra State, revealing that the Local Government Inspector, Mr. Anayo, allegedly told her the attack was “training” for future marriages.

The Zoology graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, told Punch that masked operatives of the state-owned Agunechemba security outfit stormed the corps members’ lodge in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, on July 23, 2025, over allegations of Internet fraud.

“At first, I thought they were robbers,” Jennifer said. “They had no uniforms or identification. One of them had a gun, and behind him were seven or eight others, also armed. They forced us out and pushed their way into our apartments, ransacking everything and accusing us of being Yahoo Yahoo boys and girls.”

Despite showing NYSC ID cards and uniforms, the operatives dragged the corps members downstairs, beat them with sticks and guns, and stripped her naked. Jennifer tried to cover herself with torn clothing, but the assault continued.

Even after the trauma, Jennifer says the LGI, Mr. Anayo’s alleged response left her horrified. “When he got there, he said, ‘Okay. This is why I said you people should be walking in groups… What has happened has happened. Some of you ladies are going to marry men who beat women. So, this is training for you,’” she recalled.

Jennifer revealed that the video of the assault, secretly recorded by one of the corps members, was later shown to the LGI. “I never knew there was video evidence until it was sent to him. It showed me being beaten, wounded, and stripped naked,” she said.

She also described her attempt to see the vigilantes behind bars, but said the authorities’ response was ineffective and staged. “He invited us to the LG the next day and said the men had been arrested. I told him I wanted to see them behind bars so I would be sure my life was safe. He kept turning me around, and I never got to see any of them. I also stressed that I wanted the case taken to court, but he told me to calm down.”

Jennifer said when they were finally taken to Awka, the process was confusing and exclusionary. “Everything was said in Igbo. Nobody spoke English. I could only identify a few of the men, but it was obvious it was staged because the very next day, I saw those same men in the area,” she revealed.

Jennifer has vowed to pursue justice against both the vigilantes and any officials complicit in the raid. Her harrowing account, now circulating online, has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about the conduct of vigilante groups and the response of local authorities in Nigeria.