By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has raised alarm over the circulation of a fake video on social media, warning Nigerians not to be deceived by content falsely linked to the nation’s top military leadership.
The military said the video, which purports to feature the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede, is entirely fabricated and was not produced or authorized by any official organ of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, described the footage as a deliberate misinformation campaign aimed at misleading the public and creating confusion about the activities of the military high command.
According to him, investigations conducted by the Defence Headquarters revealed that the material bears clear indicators of digital manipulation and appears to have been generated using Artificial Intelligence technology.
The military expressed concern over the increasing use of advanced digital tools to create deceptive content involving senior officers, noting that such actions could damage public trust and interfere with ongoing efforts to safeguard national security.
It warned that the spread of false military-related information, particularly through social media platforms, poses significant risks and could undermine confidence in legitimate security communications.
The Defence Headquarters therefore urged members of the public to exercise caution when consuming online content and to avoid sharing materials whose authenticity has not been verified.
The statement also called on bloggers, influencers, content creators and other social media users to act responsibly by refraining from reposting or amplifying unconfirmed reports relating to military operations and leadership.
Major General Uba stressed that accuracy and responsible communication are critical, especially in matters concerning national security, adding that the desire for online engagement should never outweigh the need for truth.
He advised journalists and the general public to rely on official Defence Headquarters channels for confirmation of information before publication or dissemination.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty and maintaining peace and stability across the nation, assuring citizens that it remains focused on its constitutional mandate despite attempts to spread misinformation.
