The Nigerian Army has dismissed claims circulating online that it was involved in electoral malpractice during Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.
Officials insisted that military personnel were deployed solely to rescue National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff who were reportedly held hostage by suspected political thugs.
Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, issued a statement titled “Clarification on Nigerian Army Intervention at Ukwu Oji Umuebele, Awka During a Rescue Operation”, outlining the circumstances of the deployment.
According to the Army, the incident occurred on 8 November 2025 at Ukwu Oji Umuebele, Awka Ward 5, Awka South Local Government Area (LGA).
Troops were dispatched following a distress call reporting the disappearance of the polling unit’s Collation Officer and the alleged detention of corps members and INEC staff.
“At about 2020 hours, an officer of the 302 Artillery Regiment received a distress call from NYSC officials reporting that corps members and other INEC staff were being held by suspected political thugs,” the statement said.
A rapid reaction team, comprising two officers and 12 soldiers, was immediately deployed.
On arrival, the troops encountered a tense situation involving political stakeholders, including the Deputy Governor of Anambra State.
The Army upheld that its personnel maintained “utmost professionalism and restraint” throughout the operation.
The statement confirmed that the soldiers successfully rescued the NYSC members and INEC officials, escorting them safely to the INEC office and allowing collation to proceed without further disruption.
The Army described the viral video purporting to show military involvement in electoral malpractice as “misleading and lacking full context,” saying that the operation was strictly humanitarian.
“Any contrary interpretation is baseless, misleading, and regrettable,” the statement said.
Headquarters 82 Division further decried the conduct of some political actors and pledged to engage with the Anambra State Government to improve coordination in future operations.
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