The Nigerian Army has explained the viral video showing a confrontation between its officers and Anambra State Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, during Saturday’s governorship election in Awka.
Reports say a background voice in the viral video could be heard alleging that the soldiers were attempting to seize election materials and kidnap the presiding officers.
But in an explanation shared on Sunday night, the Army said the soldiers were deployed to Awka Ward 5 after receiving a distress call from NYSC and INEC officials who were reportedly held hostage by suspected political thugs.
The Army’s Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said a team of officers was sent to rescue the officials after the collation officer went missing and that they acted professionally despite tension and provocation at the scene.
Ayeni stated that the rescued corps members and INEC staff were escorted safely to the INEC office, where collation continued peacefully.
The Army described the viral video as misleading and said its intervention was purely to protect lives and support a peaceful election, urging the public to disregard false narratives about the encounter.