The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports and videos circulating on social media alleging that young Nigerians from the age of 18 are being forcefully recruited into the military. The military authorities described the claims, falsely attributed to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, as “fake” and “clearly intended” to defame the character of the CDS and portray the Armed Forces in a negative light.

 

 

 

In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Samaila Uba, the DHQ stressed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains a “noble profession with thousands of patriotic Nigerians ever ready to willingly join its ranks as attested to during various recruitment exercises into the three arms of the Nigerian military.” The statement clarified that no such directive or comment was made by the CDS, any Service Chief, or any officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

 

Brig.-Gen. Uba stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, let it be on record that the purported statement was never made by the Chief of Defence Staff, any of the Service Chiefs and indeed by any member of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.” He emphasized that the video and accompanying claims were fabricated, urging Nigerians to refrain from sharing unverified content intended to mislead the public.

 

 

 

The DHQ noted the increasing dangers of misinformation and asked the public to exercise caution when consuming or distributing statements and videos on social media. The military urged Nigerians to rely solely on verified Defence Headquarters spokespersons and official social media platforms for information regarding the Armed Forces.

 

 

 

“It is therefore important for all to note that all statements and releases from the Chief of Defence Staff are to be sourced from verified Defence Headquarter’s designated spokespersons and its official social media handles,” the statement read.

 

 

 

The military high command called on the public to disregard the “fake” report and the circulating video in their entirety.