The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed a viral video allegedly showing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, making remarks that appeared to suggest support for a particular political interest.
The military authorities said on Thursday that the video was fabricated and did not originate from the Defence Chief, urging Nigerians to disregard its contents.
In a statement shared on its X handle and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the DHQ described the statements attributed to Oluyede as false.
“The Defence Headquarters wishes to state unequivocally that the video is fake and did not emanate from the Chief of Defence Staff,” the statement said.
“The statements attributed to the CDS in the video are false and should be completely disregarded,” it added.
DHQ Says Video Was AI-Generated
According to the military, the footage was created using artificial intelligence and appears to have been designed to mislead the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff and damage the reputation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“The video is a product of Artificial Intelligence-generated manipulation, apparently designed to deceive and mislead the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff and bring the Armed Forces of Nigeria into disrepute,” the military said.
The DHQ stressed that the Nigerian military remains politically neutral and operates as a professional, non-partisan institution.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains a professional, apolitical and non-partisan institution, committed to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defence of the nation,” it said.
Military Warns Against Sharing Fake Video
The Defence Headquarters condemned the creation and circulation of the fabricated footage and warned those responsible, as well as anyone knowingly promoting it, to stop immediately.
“The Defence Headquarters strongly condemns the deliberate creation and circulation of the fake video and warns those behind such acts, as well as persons knowingly amplifying the material, to desist forthwith,” the statement said.
The military also advised Nigerians to verify information through its official communication channels and avoid relying on the viral video or other unverified materials circulating online.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns over the use of AI-generated content to impersonate public figures and spread misleading information online.
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