The Nigerian Army has issued an official clarification regarding the viral video showing a confrontation between its personnel and Anambra State Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, during Saturday’s governorship election in Awka.….KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The widely circulated footage shows the deputy governor questioning the soldiers’ presence at Ukwu Oji Umubele, Awka Ward 5, demanding to know who authorised their deployment and why they were involved in the electoral process. Background voices alleged that soldiers attempted to seize election materials and abduct presiding officers, claims immediately denied by the troops on the ground.
In a statement on the Army’s official page on Sunday night, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, said the video “misrepresented” the facts. He explained that troops were deployed after receiving urgent reports from NYSC members and INEC staff who claimed they were being held hostage by suspected political thugs.
“At about 2020 hours, an officer of the 302 Artillery Regiment received a distress call from NYSC officials and corps members reporting that they and other INEC staff were being held against their will,” the statement said, noting the incident followed the sudden disappearance of the collation officer assigned to the unit.
In line with its constitutional duty to support civil authorities and protect citizens, the Army immediately dispatched a rapid response team of two officers and 12 soldiers.
Upon arrival, the troops encountered a tense situation, including the deputy governor confronting them over their presence. Despite the charged environment, the Army said its personnel acted with “professionalism and restraint,” focusing on rescuing the election workers.
The intervention successfully freed the NYSC corps members and INEC staff, who were then safely escorted to the INEC office, allowing collation to continue without further disruption.
The Army emphasised that its deployment was strictly a security operation, stating: “The viral video lacked context. Any contrary interpretation is baseless, misleading, and regrettable.”
The statement added that the Army had observed the conduct of some political actors during the incident and would work with the Anambra State Government to improve coordination in future operations. It reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, the protection of democratic institutions, and the safety of all election personnel.