The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as fake news the claim that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, plans to forcefully recruit young Nigerians aged 18 and above into the military.
According to the DHQ, the fake statement and video—now circulating widely on social media—were created to defame the Chief of Defence Staff and portray the Nigerian military negatively.
Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Samaila Uba, clarified that the Nigerian military remains a noble institution with thousands of patriotic citizens willingly applying to join its ranks during recruitment exercises conducted across the three services.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Gen. Uba said:
“The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to the circulation of a fake video depicting a mischievously cloned image of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede.
“In the said video, a malicious statement was attributed to him, alleging that the military intends to forcefully recruit young Nigerians from the age of 18 years against their will.
“This fake statement and video are clearly intended to defame the character of the Chief of Defence Staff and portray the military in a bad light.”
He reiterated that neither the CDS, nor any of the Service Chiefs, nor any member of the Armed Forces of Nigeria made such a statement.
Gen. Uba also warned the public about the dangers of misinformation in an era dominated by artificial intelligence, disinformation, and manipulated media.
He advised Nigerians to verify the authenticity of statements and videos before sharing them, emphasizing that only official Defence Headquarters spokespersons and verified social media handles should be relied upon for credible information.
“All are kindly requested to disregard the fake video and statement in circulation,” he added.
