Six National Youth Service Corps members have sued Anambra State Government after a violent assault by vigilantes.
They accuse the state of permitting brutal treatment and unlawful detention under the vigilante group Agunechemba.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Awka, names multiple respondents including Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the state’s Attorney-General.
The plaintiffs seek ₦1 billion in damages for what they describe as physical, psychological, and financial trauma.
Lawyers representing the corps members argue the incident involved stripped identity, physical abuse, and a violation of fundamental rights.
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The video of the attack circulated widely online and sparked national condemnation from human-rights groups and the NYSC.
The NYSC earlier condemned the incident and demanded justice, stating it would not tolerate abuse of serving Corps members.
Meanwhile, the Anambra government previously sacked eight Agunechemba operatives and ordered their prosecution in a related case of assault on another corps member.
Analysts say this legal action highlights rising frustration with security-actor accountability in the South-East.
Advocates note that the suit could set a precedent for future lawsuits against state governments over rights violations.
The case signals growing pressure on Nigerian states to enforce protections for servicemen and citizens alike.
As the federal judiciary processes the claim, public attention remains on how the Anambra Government will respond and whether reforms will follow.
