11-Year-Old Boy Brutalised By Governor Soludo's Newly Established Security Unit For 'Staring' In Anambra

The boy, visibly traumatised, appears in a 47-second video clip seen by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, with multiple bruises on his face, neck, and other parts of his body.

Adistressing video has emerged, showing an 11-year-old boy reportedly brutalised by members of the Anambra State security unit, Agunechemba.

The boy, visibly traumatised, appears in a 47-second video clip seen by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, with multiple bruises on his face, neck, and other parts of his body.

According to the voice in the video, the incident took place in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, when the boy went to buy meat.

The narrator accused the security unit, established by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, of brutalising the minor.

In January, Governor Soludo launched the Agunechemba security outfit to tackle the escalating insecurity.

During the launch in Awka, Mr. Soludo explained that the new security outfit would support federal security operatives, primarily the police. The governor also signed the Anambra State Homeland Security Bill 2025 into law, officially establishing Agunechemba as a vigilante group in the state.

The narrator said, “Just because he went to the slaughterhouse to buy something, and he looked at where the Agunechemba operatives were, they took him. Look what they did to this 11-year-old boy with sticks. Look how they brutalised him.

“Oba people, look at what’s happening in Oba. Look at this. Does that mean that this boy doesn’t have the right to see the operatives of Agunechemba? Look what they’ve done to this young boy who went to buy some meat. If you don’t watch out, they’ll do it to someone else. Look at the way they brutalised this boy because he was looking at them. Does that mean people can’t look at them anymore?”

Meanwhile, when SaharaReporters contacted the state commissioner for information, Dr. Law Mefor, he asserted that Agunechemba could not be responsible for such an act.

He emphasised that, based on the video's narrative, "the attack on the boy couldn't have been carried out by Agunechemba. And if Agunechemba was involved, it wasn't because of staring."

Mefor assured that the issue would be thoroughly investigated to prevent any future occurrences. He also mentioned that Agunechemba has been operating for two months without any similar incidents.

"Their duties are clear – to go after criminals, not children who look at them. That makes no sense at all. It’s quite annoying.

"We’ve taken this up. We’re checking with the two special advisers to the Governor on security, particularly the adviser on community security, who directly commands Agunechemba. So if I get any further information, I’ll let you know,” he assured.

Governor Chukwumma Soludo’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Abureme, condemned the attack but insisted it couldn't have been carried out by Agunechemba operatives, as they “adhere to a strict code of conduct”.

Abureme assured that the video would be thoroughly investigated and expressed sympathy for the young victim.

“This can’t be true because Agunechemba wouldn’t do such a thing to a child for just staring at them. Don’t forget that they’re trained security operatives with a code of behaviour and engagement. They won’t go outside that operational engagement,” he said.

“So this isn’t true and it has nothing to do with Agunechemba

,” he added.

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