Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the assault on a female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Jennifer Elobor, in Anambra State by operatives of a local vigilante group.
In a statement posted on his official X handle on Tuesday, August 19, the former Governor of Anambra State described the attack as “barbarism” and said he was deeply disturbed by the report.
Titled “A Cry for Justice Against Barbarism in Anambra”, Obi expressed shame and heartbreak that such cruelty could occur in 2025.
“As an Anambrian myself, I feel not only ashamed but also deeply heartbroken that such cruelty could happen in 2025, in a society that ought to have advanced beyond such barbarous acts,” Obi wrote.
He described the assault as an act of “primitive wickedness and savagery,” stressing that no society should tolerate the humiliation and dehumanization of its citizens, especially women and the vulnerable.
“That young girl could have been anyone’s daughter, sister, or even mine,” Obi noted. “What happened is not only a violation of law and morality, but also a direct assault on our collective humanity.”
The former governor called on authorities to immediately apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators, adding that they must be made examples to deter future abuses.
He further urged the establishment of stronger safeguards, policies, and communal values to protect citizens from similar acts.
“Our humanity must always come first. Without it, we are nothing but a people adrift in cruelty,” Obi concluded.