Army clarifies viral video of confrontation with Anambra deputy governor

The Nigerian Army has clarified the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing a confrontation between its personnel and Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, during Saturday’s governorship election in Awka.

The video, widely shared on social media, shows the deputy governor questioning the presence of soldiers at Ukwu Oji Umubele, Awka Ward 5, asking who authorised their deployment and whether they were supposed to be involved in the electoral process.

A background voice in the video could be heard alleging that the soldiers were attempting to seize election materials and kidnap the presiding officers, claims the officer-in-charge immediately denied.

In a statement shared via the Army X handle on Sunday night, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said the clip “misrepresented” what happened.

He explained that soldiers were deployed after receiving a distress call from the National Youth Service Corps officials and other Independent National Electoral Commission staff at the polling unit.

“To set the record straight, approximately at about 2020 hours (8:20 pm), an officer of the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) received a distress call from NYSC officials and corps members reporting that corps members and other INEC staff were being held hostage by suspected political thugs.

“The report followed the unexplained disappearance of the collation officer assigned to the polling unit.

In line with the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility to aid civil authorities and protect citizens, a rapid response team consisting of two officers and 12 soldiers was promptly deployed to the scene,” the statement read.

On arrival, Ayeni said the operatives met a tense scene involving several political figures, including the deputy governor, who challenged their presence.

“Despite the provocation and tension at the scene, Nigerian Army troops maintained utmost professionalism and restraint, successfully rescuing the corps members and INEC officials.

“The rescued personnel were subsequently escorted safely to the INEC office, where collation continued peacefully,” the statement added.

The Army said the viral video lacked context and insisted that the deployment was strictly a humanitarian and security intervention aimed at protecting lives and ensuring the election proceeded safely.

It said that “any contrary interpretation is baseless, misleading and regrettable.”

To improve cooperation in future operations, the Army said it had taken note of the conduct of some political actors during the episode and would engage the Anambra State Government.

The statement reiterated the military’s commitment to neutrality and the protection of democratic institutions, urging the public to disregard “false narratives” surrounding the incident.