Ogona Anita
The Nigerian Army has clarified why its personnel were seen at the Anambra State governorship election collation centre in Awka South Local Government Area, after a viral video triggered public concern and speculation about military interference in the electoral process.
the widely circulated clip, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State confronted a military officer at the centre, questioning his presence.
The footage sparked rumours that the Army was attempting to influence the outcome of the election.
However, the Army, through a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters 82 Division, Enugu, said the soldiers were only responding to an emergency call from National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff.
According to the statement, at about 8:20 pm. on Saturday, troops from the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) received reports that corps members and INEC officials were being held hostage by suspected political thugs following the sudden disappearance of the collation officer.
Ayeni explained that soldiers were immediately deployed to the scene, where they found the situation tense but handled it with “utmost professionalism and restraint.”
The troops, he said, rescued the trapped NYSC members and INEC officials and escorted them safely to the INEC office, allowing the collation process to continue peacefully.
The Nigerian Army’s intervention was purely a humanitarian and security response aimed at protecting lives and preserving the integrity of the electoral process,” the statement read.
Any contrary interpretation is baseless, misleading, and regrettable.”
The 82 Division also noted that it observed the conduct of certain political figures during the incident and would engage with the Anambra State Government to foster better cooperation and understanding in future operations.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had earlier reported another tense encounter between security forces in the state.
Some police officers providing election security were allegedly shot by Army personnel during an argument at a checkpoint along Onitsha Road.
A police officer told SaharaReporters:
We were returning from the election duty when we had a misunderstanding with some soldiers at a checkpoint. Before we knew it, they opened fire. One of our men was hit in the chest, and several others were injured.”
The situation reportedly escalated into a confrontation, prompting calls for police reinforcement.
About 45,000 police officers were deployed for the November 8, 2025, Anambra governorship election, which was won by the incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
According to INEC, Soludo secured 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes
