DHQ Disowns AI-Generated Video Falsely Linked to CDS, Army Chief
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as fake a viral video circulating on social media that falsely portrays the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, and in some instances attempts to misrepresent the same individual as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General OO Oluyede.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military high command described the video as fabricated, misleading and deliberately designed to misinform the public about the activities and leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the video does not represent any official communication, statement, engagement or position of either the Chief of Defence Staff, General Oluyede or the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Waidi Shaibu.
“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 content is a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and create confusion regarding the activities and leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
DHQ urged members of the public to disregard the video entirely, stressing that it did not originate from any official military source.
The military noted that preliminary assessments revealed clear signs of digital manipulation, indicating that the content was generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and should not be relied upon under any circumstances.
The Defence Headquarters also expressed concern over what it described as the growing misuse of digital technologies and social media platforms to create and circulate fabricated content involving senior military officers.
It warned that such actions amount to deliberate misinformation capable of undermining public confidence in security institutions and jeopardising national security efforts.
The military further cautioned social media influencers, bloggers, content creators and online commentators against sharing, reposting or amplifying unverified military-related content for the sake of online engagement.
According to DHQ, the pursuit of visibility and social media traffic should never come at the expense of truth, responsible journalism and national security.
It advised media organisations and members of the public to verify all military-related information through official Defence Headquarters communication channels before publication or dissemination.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain focused on their constitutional mandate of defending the nation’s sovereignty and maintaining peace and security across the country.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to their constitutional responsibilities and will continue to work tirelessly to protect the sovereignty, peace and security of the nation,” the statement added.
By TimesNG