By Harriet Tornguvan
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as false and misleading a viral video circulating on social media that falsely claims to feature the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, while in some instances also misrepresenting the individual shown as the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military high command described the video as a fabricated piece of content designed to mislead the public and create confusion about the activities and leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
According to the DHQ, the video does not represent any official communication, position, statement or engagement involving either the Chief of Defence Staff or the Chief of Army Staff.
"The Defence Headquarters categorically states that the video is false, misleading and does not represent any official communication, position, statement or engagement involving either the Chief of Defence Staff or the Chief of Army Staff," the statement said.
The military urged members of the public to disregard the video entirely, stressing that it did not originate from any official military source. It added that preliminary assessments revealed clear signs of digital manipulation, likely generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
The DHQ expressed concern over what it described as the growing misuse of digital technologies and social media platforms by individuals seeking to fabricate content involving senior military officers.
It warned that the dissemination of such misinformation could erode public trust in national institutions and potentially undermine ongoing security operations across the country.
The Defence Headquarters also cautioned social media influencers, bloggers, content creators and online commentators against sharing, reposting or amplifying unverified military-related content for the sake of attracting online engagement.
"The quest for online visibility and engagement must not come at the expense of truth, national security and responsible journalism," the statement noted.
The military further advised journalists and members of the public to verify information through official Defence Headquarters communication channels before publication or dissemination.
Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Armed Forces of Nigeria said it remains focused on its constitutional responsibilities and will continue to work tirelessly to safeguard the nation's sovereignty, peace and security.
The DHQ's warning comes amid increasing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence and other digital tools to create deceptive content capable of influencing public perception and spreading misinformation.
