By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Headquarters has firmly dismissed a fake video circulating online that falsely attributes a statement to the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, alleging that the military intends to forcibly recruit Nigerians aged 18 and above. The military described the video as a malicious fabrication designed to defame the nation’s top defence leadership and mislead the public.
In an official statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Samaila Uba, the Defence Headquarters condemned the creators of the video for cloning the image of the Chief of Defence Staff and inserting a statement he never made. Uba noted that the forged content was deliberately crafted to cast the Armed Forces in a negative light and sow distrust among Nigerians.
He stressed that the military remains a respected institution that attracts thousands of willing applicants during its recruitment exercises across the Army, Navy and Air Force, adding that no service chief or military authority had ever made any pronouncement remotely similar to the claim in circulation.
Brigadier General Uba reminded the public that the rise of artificial intelligence has made it easier for malicious actors to produce deceptive videos and statements, making verification more critical than ever. He urged Nigerians to be cautious and to refrain from creating, sharing or amplifying unverified content capable of causing public panic or damaging reputations.
He further emphasized that all official statements from the Chief of Defence Staff are issued exclusively through authorised Defence Headquarters spokespersons and its verified social media channels. The Defence Headquarters therefore called on the public to disregard the circulating video in its entirety, describing it as a product of deliberate falsehood intended to misinform the populace.
The military reiterated its commitment to professionalism, transparency and the defence of Nigeria’s unity, urging citizens to remain vigilant and rely only on credible, authenticated sources of information.
