Viral Video Shows TNI Displacing SD in Ende, Here's Kodam Udayana's Explanation

Kodam IX/Udayana has spoken out regarding a viral video which narrated that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) damaged the Wolomoni State Primary School (SDN) in Niowula Village, Detusoko District, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Head of Information for Kodam (Kapendam) Udayana, Colonel Inf Amrizal Nasution, stressed that information about the destruction of school facilities and forced displacement did not match conditions on the ground. ‘There was no intimidation, physical violence, or attempts at forced eviction by TNI personnel against the community or educational facilities at the location,’ Amrizal asserted on Tuesday (9/6/2026). Amrizal explained that the incident began during the mobilisation of heavy equipment, an excavator, to the construction site of a Koperasi Merah Putih on land granted by the community located behind the SDN Neowula area. According to him, the narrow village access road and the position of the school’s roof support structure being in the heavy equipment’s manoeuvring path meant technical adjustments had to be made on site. ‘Based on a field review and verification with various relevant parties, the incident originated from technical obstacles during the mobilisation of heavy equipment (excavator) to the KDKMP construction site on community-granted land behind the SDN Neowula area,’ he revealed. ‘It had previously been coordinated with the Village Head and the school committee, with the aim that the heavy equipment could pass without causing damage to the main school building,’ the Kapendam continued. Amrizal stated the technical adjustment was carried out by cutting part of a support pillar located in the heavy equipment access area. He noted that something similar was also conveyed by the Head of Neowula Village, Vinsensius Papa. According to Amrizal, mediation was carried out because the village road abuts the school roof, making technical adjustments necessary, which will later be repaired. On the other hand, the local Babinsa, Sertu Hermin, was cited as being at the location to provide security as well as to act as a mediator to ease tensions and prevent potential escalation. Currently, all work activities have been temporarily halted to allow room for the mediation process while keeping the situation conducive. Amrizal also confirmed that the previously damaged pillar has been repaired. ‘The excavated area has (also) been tidied up and the heavy equipment has been moved out of the location to avoid the potential for further misunderstanding,’ he added. He appealed to the public, particularly in Ende Regency, not to be easily provoked by unverified information and to continue prioritising deliberation in responding to development dynamics in the region.