The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) has received with shock and dismay reports of the brutal assault meted out to a young female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by operatives of the Agunechemba Vigilante group in Anambra State. This reprehensible act is not only a gross violation of human rights and dignity but also a shameful stain on the image of the state. It raises profound questions about governance, accountability, and the culture of impunity that has been allowed to fester under the administration of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
The NYSC is a national institution established to foster unity, service, and nation-building. Corps members, many of whom leave their homes and families to serve in distant and unfamiliar communities, deserve utmost protection and respect. To subject one of them to humiliation and physical abuse at the hands of a state-sanctioned vigilante outfit is not only criminal but an indictment on the state government which has, by action or inaction, failed to regulate and professionalize community security structures.
We note with sadness that the Agunechemba Vigilante group, which operates with the backing of local authorities, has become synonymous with excesses, unchecked power, and human rights violations. The failure of Governor Soludo’s administration to put in place clear oversight mechanisms and accountability structures has emboldened these groups to operate outside the law. What happened to this young corps member is a reflection of deeper maladministration; a failure to prioritize citizen welfare, ensure security sector reforms, and uphold the principles of justice.
Governor Soludo must understand that leadership is not only about economic reforms and urban renewal projects. At its core, governance is about people; their safety, their dignity, and their trust in public institutions. A government that cannot guarantee the basic protection of vulnerable groups such as students, corps members, women, and children has lost moral authority.
FOSAD therefore demands the following:
An immediate and thorough investigation into the assault, with perpetrators brought to justice swiftly and transparently.
A comprehensive review of vigilante operations in Anambra State to ensure they operate within the ambit of the law and under strict supervision.
A formal apology and compensation to the assaulted corps member to restore her dignity and reaffirm the state’s commitment to the safety of all NYSC members.
A policy directive from Governor Soludo guaranteeing that no corps member in Anambra State will again be subjected to harassment, intimidation, or violence by any security outfit.
The assault on a corps member is not an isolated event. It is symbolic of a broader decay in governance and accountability in Anambra State. Governor Soludo must act decisively to correct this perception and restore public confidence. Silence or token gestures will only deepen the growing belief that his administration has turned a blind eye to the abuse of citizens.
FOSAD stands with the victim, with all corps members serving in the South-East, and with every citizen whose rights have been trampled upon by those who should protect them. We call on civil society, the media, and the federal authorities to hold the Anambra State Government accountable. The dignity of our youth and the future of governance in our region depend on it.
E-Signed:
Dr. Stephen Nwala
President
Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD)
Dr. Uzor Ngoladi
Secretary General
Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD)
