Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed a viral video purportedly showing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, making statements suggesting support for partisan politics.
The DHQ, in a statement posted on its X handle on Thursday, said the video was fabricated and did not originate from the Chief of Defence Staff.
“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 military authorities also rejected the statements attributed to Oluyede in the footage, urging Nigerians to disregard the content.
“The statements attributed to the CDS in the video are false and should be completely disregarded,” the DHQ added.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the footage was created using artificial intelligence-generated manipulation and was intended to mislead the public, misrepresent the position of the CDS 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 statement said.
The DHQ reaffirmed the military’s commitment to remaining politically neutral, stressing that the Armed Forces operates in accordance with its constitutional responsibilities.
“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.
The Defence Headquarters condemned the production and circulation of the video and warned those responsible, as well as individuals who knowingly amplify the material, to stop.
“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 urged members of the public to obtain information about its activities and positions only through its verified official communication channels and to disregard the circulating video.
