Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Olufemi Oluyede
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as fake an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated video circulating online which falsely portrays the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, as making comments in support of partisan politics.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, who described the video as a deliberate fabrication aimed at misleading the public and tarnishing the image of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to the statement, the military high command said the video did not originate from the CDS and urged Nigerians to ignore the false claims being attributed to him.
The DHQ explained that the manipulated video was produced using artificial intelligence technology to create the impression that General Oluyede made political statements he never uttered.
It warned that the misleading content was designed to deceive members of the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff and portray the Armed Forces of Nigeria in a negative light.
Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role, the Defence Headquarters stressed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains a professional, apolitical and non-partisan institution committed to defending the nation’s territorial integrity and upholding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The military also condemned the creation and circulation of the fake video, warning those responsible, as well as individuals who knowingly share the manipulated content, to desist immediately.
The DHQ noted that the increasing use of artificial intelligence to produce convincing fake audio and video materials poses a serious threat to public trust, especially when such content targets senior public officials and sensitive national issues.
It therefore urged Nigerians to verify information through the military’s verified communication platforms before accepting or sharing any statement purportedly issued by the Chief of Defence Staff or the Armed Forces.
The Defence Headquarters listed its official channels as Defence Headquarters Nigeria on Facebook and WhatsApp, @DHQNigeria on X, DefenceHQ on Instagram and DefenceTV-Nigeria on YouTube for authentic updates and official statements.
