“They Should Be Stripped Too”: Obi’s Aide Demands Public Shaming of Vigilantes Who Assaulted Corps Member

Valentine Obienyem, Special Adviser to former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, has called for public shaming of vigilante operatives who assaulted a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Anambra State.

The incident, which occurred in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, involved Ms. Jennifer Elobor, a serving corps member. Viral footage showed vigilante operatives beating her, tearing her clothes, and stripping her naked despite her presentation of valid NYSC identification. The assault has drawn nationwide condemnation.

Reacting on Tuesday, Obienyem insisted that the perpetrators should be subjected to the same humiliation they inflicted on the corps member.

“Those who took part in stripping the corps member naked should themselves be stripped naked and paraded for three hours at Ekwueme Square before the eyes of the public. Nothing else will so quickly put an end to this madness,” he said.

He further argued that public shaming, though harsh, could serve as a deterrent against future abuses, noting that extraordinary remedies are sometimes necessary in times of “moral decay.”

Rights organisations and civil society groups have also condemned the attack, describing it as a grave violation of human dignity. They are demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the vigilante operatives involved and urging authorities to rein in vigilante groups whose unchecked powers continue to raise concern across southeastern Nigeria.