Amnesty International condemns assault of female corps members by Anambra vigilante group

Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned the assault on female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members by armed men allegedly linked to the Agunechemba Vigilante Group in Anambra State. The incident, which took place on July 23, 2025, was described as a gross violation of human rights by the human rights watchdog.

A viral video showed the corps member being stripped naked, severely beaten, and threatened with sexual violence. Amnesty International called for a transparent and thorough investigation into the incident, stating that vigilante groups must be held accountable for their actions.

The organization also highlighted the need for the Anambra State government to issue clear directives to ensure that the Agunechemba Vigilante Group operates within the bounds of the law. Amnesty International noted that vigilante groups in Nigeria often operate with impunity, committing human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings, torture, unlawful detention, and enforced disappearances.