VIDEO: Soldiers Rescue NYSC Corps Members Held Hostage in Awka as Deputy Governor Clashes with Military Team

• A viral video from Awka has revealed how soldiers deployed to rescue NYSC corps members and INEC officials held hostage by political thugs were confronted by the Anambra State Deputy Governor at a collation centre.

Fresh details have emerged clarifying the viral video that captured a tense confrontation between the Deputy Governor of Anambra State and a military rescue team during Saturday’s governorship election in Awka.

The footage, which has dominated social media discussions, shows the Deputy Governor confronting and verbally harassing a soldier at an INEC collation centre. He was heard demanding to know why military personnel were present at the venue, even as the soldier calmly tried to explain.

Military sources told VerseNews that the soldiers had been dispatched on an emergency rescue mission after receiving a distress call from the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Pauline Ojisua.

At about 8:20 a.m. on November 8, Mrs. Ojisua alerted the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) that several corps members and INEC officials were being held hostage by political thugs at Ukwu Oji Umubele, Awka Ward 5, Awka South LGA, following the disappearance of the collation officer.

“Troops promptly moved to the location, rescued the corps members and electoral officials, and escorted them safely to the INEC office where collation continued without incident,” one military source confirmed.

However, tension arose when the Deputy Governor, accompanied by several political associates, confronted the rescue team upon their arrival at the INEC collation point. Despite the clear emergency situation, he reportedly challenged the presence of the soldiers and attempted to obstruct their operations.

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In the viral clip, the Deputy Governor could be seen raising his voice, insisting that the military had no mandate to be at the collation centre. The soldier, maintaining composure, responded that his presence was solely due to a distress call from NYSC officials.

At one point, the soldier was heard asking, “Madam, what did you tell me when you called?” before the video abruptly ended, preventing viewers from hearing the coordinator’s response.

Security insiders believe the Deputy Governor’s outburst stemmed from displeasure over the military’s swift intervention, which reportedly disrupted political thugs’ plans at the polling area.

Election security protocols permit military involvement only in life-threatening emergencies — especially when corps members or INEC officials are endangered. In contrast, INEC guidelines explicitly prohibit candidates and their deputies from remaining inside collation centres to avoid interference or intimidation.

Legal expert Kelvin Martings defended the military’s action as “lawful, necessary, and timely,” noting that the NYSC Coordinator’s distress call justified the deployment. He described the Deputy Governor’s conduct as “unruly and obstructionist,” particularly given the soldiers’ efforts to protect vulnerable citizens performing national service.

Another security source added, “The military’s quick response likely prevented serious harm to corps members. Any harassment of security personnel carrying out rescue duties is unacceptable.”

As of press time, INEC has not issued an official statement on the matter.

Watch video below:

Wahala In Anambra After Uniformed Soldiers Showed Up At Collation Centres Without A proper Clear Reason For Their Presence,and this Prompting The Deputy Governor To Interrogate Their Leader. pic.twitter.com/wkAeBfO1lF— 𝓞𝓫𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓷𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓶𝓮 (@fcspokesman) November 9, 2025