27/08/2026
DHQ DEBUNKS AI-GENERATED VIDEO OF CDS
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed a viral video purportedly showing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, making remarks suggesting partisan political support.
In a statement issued Thursday and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the DHQ said the video was fake and did not emanate from the Chief of Defence Staff.
The Defence Headquarters said the statements attributed to General Oluyede were false and should be completely disregarded.
According to the military, the footage was a product of Artificial Intelligence-generated manipulation, apparently designed to deceive the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff and bring the Armed Forces of Nigeria into disrepute.
The clarification comes shortly after General Oluyede participated in high-level defence engagements in the United States.
Between August 12 and 13, the CDS was part of a Nigerian delegation involved in the United States–Nigeria Joint Working Group talks in Washington, D.C.
During a strategic engagement at the Pentagon, the Nigerian delegation held discussions with senior United States defence officials on strengthening military-to-military relations, intelligence cooperation, counter-terrorism and broader security collaboration. �
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The Defence Headquarters has now reaffirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains a professional, apolitical and non-partisan institution, committed to the Constitution and the defence of the nation.
It also condemned the deliberate creation and circulation of the fake video, warning those behind it—as well as anyone knowingly amplifying the material—to desist.
The public has been advised to disregard the video and rely on information issued through official Defence Headquarters communication channels.
A reminder from the HARDGROUND:
As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful, seeing is no longer enough. Verification is now part of national security.
