Opinion
Vigilante Brawl: Anambra’s Operation Udo Ga-Achi Under Fire for Disturbing Assault on Corps Members
By Olisemeka Obeche
Activities of Anambra State’s controversial security group, Operation Udo Ga-Achi—commonly referred to as Agunechemba—are once again making headlines, and not for the right reasons. A shocking video has emerged, capturing brutal assaults on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members by these operatives, raising alarms across social media.
The disturbing footage shows purported members of the Soludo Security team, often labeled as thugs by opponents, storming a lodge where the corps members were staying. They accused the young volunteers of being “Yahoo boys,” a term commonly used to describe internet fraudsters. Despite the corps members presenting their NYSC identification cards and their official uniforms to prove their innocence, the security operatives continued their violent onslaught.
Among the victims was Jennifer Edema Elohor, a female corps member who suffered a vicious attack—beaten, stripped naked, and left bleeding. Other corps members faced severe verbal abuse, including sexual harassment and threats of violence.
This incident isn’t an isolated one; it marks the latest chapter in a troubling history for Operation Udo Ga-Achi, a group established by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to combat insecurity in the state. Despite their intention to protect citizens, these operatives have frequently crossed the line, engaging in unlawful activities while evading accountability.
It’s disheartening to witness a security force tasked with restoring safety resorting to violence against innocent individuals while actual criminals seem to operate with impunity. If Operation Udo Ga-Achi were genuinely effective, high-profile cases like that of the tragic loss of Fish Magnet might not have occurred.
Furthermore, their authority to detain and prosecute internet fraudsters remains questionable, leaving many to wonder: why were these corps members targeted in the first place?
As Anambra approaches a crucial election period, it’s imperative for Governor Soludo to address the conduct of Operation Udo Ga-Achi. The last thing the state needs is a rogue group operating outside the law, creating an environment of fear instead of safety. The people of Anambra State deserve better—better governance, better security, and better protection of their rights.
It is time for concerned citizens, activists, and community leaders to unite and demand accountability from their government. Governor Soludo must take decisive steps to ensure that Operation Udo Ga-Achi is held to the same legal standards expected of all security agencies.
We urge everyone to raise their voices against such flagrant abuses and call for reforms that prioritize the protection of all citizens over vigilante justice. Let us stand together for a safer and more just Anambra, where the law protects rather than persecutes its people.