We are not Intending to Force young Nigerians into Military – DHQ

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed a viral video falsely suggesting that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General O.O. Oluyede, announced plans to forcibly recruit Nigerians aged 18 and above.

In a statement on Saturday, Brigadier General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, described the video as “fake” and “malicious,” noting that it featured a cloned image of the CDS alongside a fabricated statement intended to tarnish his reputation and portray the Armed Forces negatively.

The DHQ stressed that neither the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, nor any officer of the Armed Forces of Nigeria made such a remark. The statement emphasized that the military remains a respected institution that attracts thousands of willing applicants during its routine recruitment exercises.

Highlighting the dangers of misinformation in the era of Artificial Intelligence, the DHQ urged the public to stop creating and circulating unverified videos and messages. Nigerians were advised to rely solely on official Defence Headquarters spokespersons and verified social media platforms for credible information.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the purported statement was never made by the Chief of Defence Staff, any of the Service Chiefs, or any member of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement clarified.

The DHQ further cautioned that in today’s age of AI-driven disinformation, it is essential for all to verify the source and authenticity of statements and videos before sharing them.