Defence Headquarters Disowns Fake Video Falsely Linked To Defence Chief
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as fake a viral video circulating on social media that falsely portrays the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, or, in some versions, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
In a statement on Tuesday, the military high command described the video as fabricated, misleading and unrelated to any official communication, statement or engagement involving either of the senior military officers.
According to the DHQ, preliminary assessments indicate that the video bears clear signs of digital manipulation through artificial intelligence and was deliberately created to misinform the public and generate confusion about the activities and leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Defence Headquarters urged members of the public to disregard the content entirely, stressing that it did not originate from any official military source and should not be relied upon for information.
The military also expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend of individuals using emerging digital technologies to create and circulate false content involving senior military officers.
It warned that such actions constitute to misinformation and could erode public trust while undermining national security efforts.
The DHQ further cautioned social media influencers, bloggers, content creators and online commentators against sharing or amplifying unverified military-related content for the sake of online engagement.
“The quest for visibility must not come at the expense of truth, national security and responsible journalism,” the statement said.
The military advised journalists and members of the public to verify information through official Defence Headquarters communication channels before publication or dissemination.
It reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain focused on their constitutional mandate and committed to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, peace and security.
