A video circulating on social media has sparked outrage after reports emerged that teachers were allegedly flogged during a staff verification exercise at the Jerome Udoji State Secretariat Complex in Awka, Anambra State.
The footage shows a large crowd gathered outside a government building, with visible commotion as officials address people at the scene. The circumstances surrounding the incident, however, remain unclear, and the identities of those allegedly responsible for the reported flogging have not been independently established.
The incident has raised questions about how public servants are being treated during the ongoing verification process, which the Anambra State Government says is intended to authenticate personnel records and strengthen accountability within the state’s payroll system.
The verification exercise comes amid efforts by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to improve public-service administration and ensure that government records accurately reflect eligible workers and beneficiaries.
On September 30, 2026, the state government announced a digital-first verification exercise for pensioners, scheduled to begin on October 5. According to the announcement, eligible pensioners could complete the process remotely, while those requiring assistance could attend a designated physical verification centre beside the UBA Secretariat Branch at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex in Awka.
The government said the arrangement was designed to make the process more convenient and reduce unnecessary travel. It also warned participants against paying unauthorised individuals to facilitate verification.
Although the official announcement concerns pensioners, separate reports have described a broader statewide effort to validate individuals on the government payroll. The available information does not establish whether the people shown in the viral video were participating in the pensioner exercise or another staff verification process.
The alleged flogging has prompted concerns about the need for verification officials to conduct their duties professionally, particularly when dealing with teachers and other public servants whose employment records or payment status may be under review.
Verification exercises can help governments identify inaccurate records and improve payroll management. However, such processes should be conducted transparently and without intimidation, with clear procedures for resolving disputes and addressing documentation problems.
As of the time of writing, no official statement confirming the alleged flogging or identifying those responsible was located in the sources reviewed. It also remains unclear whether any affected teachers have submitted formal complaints or whether an investigation has been initiated.
The Anambra State Government and the relevant authorities would need to clarify what happened, establish the circumstances surrounding the commotion and respond to the allegations.
Until further details emerge, the video should be treated as evidence of a reported disturbance rather than conclusive proof of who was responsible for the alleged physical abuse.
