Army Responds to Viral Video Involving 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, which circulated widely 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 election process. A background voice in the clip also alleged that the soldiers were trying to seize election materials and kidnap presiding officers—claims immediately denied by the officer in charge.

In a statement shared on the Army’s X account on Sunday night, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, said the video misrepresented the events. He explained that the soldiers were deployed in response to a distress call from NYSC officials and other INEC staff at the polling unit.

“To clarify, at approximately 2020 hours (8:20 pm), an officer of the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) received a report that NYSC officials and corps members were being held hostage by suspected political thugs following the unexplained disappearance of the collation officer assigned to the unit,” the statement read.

“In line with the Army’s constitutional duty to support civil authorities and protect citizens, a rapid response team of two officers and 12 soldiers was promptly deployed to the scene.”

Upon arrival, the troops encountered a tense situation involving several political figures, including the deputy governor, who questioned their presence. Despite the provocation, the soldiers maintained professionalism and successfully rescued the corps members and INEC officials, escorting them safely to the INEC office where collation continued without further incident.

The Army emphasized that the viral video lacked context, stating that the deployment was a humanitarian and security intervention intended to protect lives and ensure a peaceful election. The statement added that “any contrary interpretation is baseless, misleading, and regrettable.”

To improve future coordination, the Army noted the behaviour of some political actors during the incident and said it would engage with 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 event.