The Government says it has fired eight operatives of its Agunechemba Security outfit following the brutal assault and public stripping of a female corps member, Jennifer Elobor.
Ken Emeakayi, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, announced the dismissal in Awka, the state capital, on Wednesday.
He said the government acted swiftly after receiving reports of the incident and would hand the officers over to the police for prosecution.
According to Emeakayi, the dismissed officers were pursuing suspected cultists on Tuesday when they attacked the corps member.
He described the incident as an action “totally outside the mandate of the agency and utterly condemnable.”
He said: “The Soludo administration will not tolerate any form of unprofessionalism, brutality or abuse of office by security operatives. Any officer found guilty of misconduct will face immediate dismissal and prosecution.”
In spite of pleas from the victim’s family and officials of the National Youth Service Corps for a quiet resolution, the state government insisted on a full investigation and accountability to serve as a deterrent.
Emeakayi said the government had already settled the victim’s medical bills, replaced her damaged valuables, including a laptop and phone, and tendered a public apology to her family, NYSC and the public.
He said the incident would serve as a turning point in reforming the outfit and restoring public confidence in community security operations.
“This government is committed to professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights in all security engagements.”
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