The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has debunked a viral video purportedly showing the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, making statements suggesting partisan political support, describing the footage as fabricated and generated using artificial intelligence.
In a statement issued on August 27, 2026, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the video did not originate from the Chief of Defence Staff and urged members of the public to disregard the statements attributed to him.
“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 statements attributed to the CDS in the video are false and should be completely disregarded.”
According to the DHQ, the video was an AI-generated manipulation allegedly designed to deceive and mislead members of the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff, and bring the Armed Forces of Nigeria into disrepute.
“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,” Uba said.
The Defence Headquarters reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained a professional and non-partisan institution committed to 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,” the statement added.
The DHQ also condemned the creation and circulation of the alleged fake video and warned those responsible, as well as individuals knowingly amplifying 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,” Uba said.
The military authorities urged members of the public to rely only on information released through official Defence Headquarters communication channels.
