‘Strip Them Naked Too’: Peter Obi’s Aide Calls For Public Shaming Of Vigilantes Who Assaulted Female Corps Member

Mr. Valentine Obienyem, Special Adviser to former Anambra governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for symbolic punishment for the security operatives involved in the brutal assault and public humiliation of a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ms. Jennifer Elobor, in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.

The assault, which was captured in a viral video, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.

Obienyem argued that such a measure is necessary to deter future abuses. He maintained that the vigilante operatives should be given the same treatment “stripping them naked” in a public square.

“I therefore suggest that all those who took part in stripping the Anambra corps members 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,” Obienyem said.

Citing examples from ancient Greek history, Obienyem argued that public shaming, though harsh, sometimes restores sanity faster than endless appeals to conscience:

“When moral decay assumes epidemic proportions, extraordinary remedies may be necessary. Public shaming, though harsh, sometimes restores sanity faster than endless appeals to conscience,” he said.

The video captured the security operatives violently beating Elobor, tearing her clothes, and stripping her naked as she cried for help, while her colleagues and other eyewitnesses pleaded for the assault to stop.

The incident has raised broader concerns about the role of vigilante groups in southeastern Nigeria, with civil society organisations urging authorities to act decisively to curb impunity.